Nissan Maxima Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Nissan Maxima back up light utilizes bulb sizes 921, 912, 1156, and P21W depending on the specific production period. Available data for the vehicle covers the range from 1981 through 2023.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
2016-2023	921
2009-2014	921
2004-2008	912
1997-2003	921
1989-1996	1156
1981-1985	1156

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Wedge bulb (T15). 12V, 16W.	921
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Wedge bulb (T15). Variant of 921. 12V, 12W.	912
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 21W.	1156

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Nissan Maxima back up light specifications reference three distinct bulb sizes across the model's history: the 921, the 912, and the 1156.
The 921 is the most frequently specified bulb across the Nissan Maxima lineup, covering model years 1997-2003 and 2009-2023.
The 921 is a T15 wedge-base bulb rated at 12V and 16W, conforming to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada.
The 912 is also a T15 wedge-base bulb and is considered a variant of the 921, sharing the same 12V operating voltage but drawing less power at 12W rather than 16W.
Because the 912 and 921 share the same T15 wedge base, physical fitment between the two is possible, though the wattage difference means they are not identical replacements and substitution may affect light output.
The 912 is specified for the Nissan Maxima for model years 2004-2008.
The 1156 differs fundamentally from both the 921 and 912 in its base type, using a BA15s single-contact bayonet base rather than a wedge base, which makes it physically incompatible with sockets designed for T15 wedge bulbs.
The 1156 operates at 12V and 21W, making it the highest-wattage bulb among the three types listed in these specifications.
The 1156 is specified for the Nissan Maxima for model years 1981-1996, as well as 1985.
The base-type difference between the 1156 and the T15 wedge bulbs means that a direct substitution between earlier and later Maxima back up light bulbs is not possible without a socket adapter.