The Nissan Altima side marker utilizes 12961 and 158 bulb sizes for the lighting components located on the exterior of the vehicle. Data for the specific bulbs covers the range from 1995 through 2019.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The 168 bulb is the most frequently specified size across the Nissan Altima side marker positions. It is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W, used in both front and rear side marker applications across multiple model years.
The 194 bulb is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W. It draws slightly less wattage than the 168, and both share the same T10 wedge form factor.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI industry-standard designation. It is a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W.
Although the 168, 194, and 12961 all share the T10 wedge form factor, their wattage ratings differ at 4.9W, 3.78W, and 5W respectively. Direct substitution between them is not confirmed by these specifications.
The Nissan Altima (2016-2020) uses the 168 bulb for the front side marker. The 2020 model year carries an additional notation specifying this fitment applies to vehicles equipped with halogen capsule headlamps.
The front side marker specification for the 2020 Altima includes a trim-level or equipment condition, indicating that the 168 bulb applies specifically to the halogen capsule headlamp variant rather than all configurations of that year.
The rear side marker on the Nissan Altima uses the 168 bulb across a notably wide span of model years, covering 2002-2006, 2009, and 2014-2020.
The 12961 bulb appears in the rear side marker position for the 2022-2023 Altima, representing a shift from the 168 bulb used in the immediately preceding model years for that same position.
Front and rear side marker positions share the same bulb size for several model years. The 1993-1997 Altima uses the 194 in both positions, and the 2016-2019 Altima uses the 168 in both positions.
The 1993-1997 Altima uses the 194 bulb in both front and rear side marker positions, while the 2009 Altima uses different bulbs for each position, with the 12961 at the front and the 168 at the rear.