The Lexus LS430 tail light utilizes 12961 and 7443 bulb sizes according to the specific data provided for the lighting components. The information covers the range from 2001 through 2003 for the specified vehicle.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Lexus LS430 tail light system uses two distinct bulb positions: an inner tail light and an outer tail light, each requiring different bulb types across the 2001-2003 model years.
The inner tail light position across all three model years (2001-2003) uses the 168 bulb, an ANSI-standard miniature wedge type in a T10 form factor rated at 12V and 4.9W.
The T10 wedge form factor is a small single-filament bulb commonly used in low-intensity lighting roles such as parking lights and marker lights, which aligns with its placement in the inner tail light position.
The outer tail light position on the 2001-2003 LS430 primarily uses the 7443 bulb, a dual-filament T20 wedge type rated at 12V with a 21W/5W output, where the two wattage values correspond to its high and low filaments respectively.
The dual-filament design of the 7443 allows a single bulb to serve two functions within one housing, typically combining a brighter stop-light filament with a dimmer running-light filament.
A production date variant exists for the 2003 outer tail light: units built up to July 2003 use the 12961 bulb rather than the 7443, making the manufacturing cutoff a critical factor in fitment for that model year.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI-standard designation, identifying a miniature T10 wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base rated at 12V and 5W.
Although both the 168 and the 12961 share the T10 wedge form factor and operate at 12V, their wattage ratings (4.9W versus 5W) and base specifications differ, and interchangeability between them is not indicated by the specifications.
The 7443 and 12961 are not interchangeable; the 7443 is a T20 dual-filament bulb while the 12961 is a single-filament T10, and substituting one for the other would be incompatible in both size and function.
For 2003 LS430 outer tail light service, the production date relative to July 2003 determines whether the correct replacement is the 7443 or the 12961.