Nissan Maxima Tail Light Bulb Size

The Nissan Maxima tail light utilizes unique bulb sizes 7440, 12961, 3057, 7443, and 1157 depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data covers a range from 1981 through 2019 for the components listed.

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
2019	7440
2016	7440
2009-2014	12961
2004-2008	3057
2003	7440
2000-2002	7443
1989-1999	1157
1981-1985	1157

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament wedge bulb (T20). 12V, 21W.	7440
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament wedge bulb (T25). 12V, 27W/7W.	3057
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament wedge bulb (T20). 12V, 21W/5W.	7443
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V, 21W/5W.	1157

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 1157 bulb is the most frequently specified tail light bulb across the Nissan Maxima's history, covering model years 1981-1985 and 1989-1999. It is a dual-filament bulb rated at 12V with a 21W high filament and 5W low filament, and it uses a BAY15d bayonet base rather than a wedge-style fitting.
The 7440 is a single-filament T20 wedge bulb rated at 12V and 21W. Because it carries only one filament, it is not interchangeable with dual-filament T20 bulbs such as the 7443, even though both share the T20 wedge form factor.
The 7443 is a dual-filament T20 wedge bulb rated at 12V, 21W/5W, specified for the Nissan Maxima in model years 2000-2002. Its dual-filament design distinguishes it electrically from the single-filament 7440, despite the two bulbs sharing the same T20 body style.
The 3057 is a dual-filament T25 wedge bulb rated at 12V, 27W/7W, specified for model years 2004-2008. Its high filament output of 27W is higher than that of the 1157 and 7443, making those bulbs non-interchangeable substitutes without accounting for the wattage difference.
The 12961 is identified by a Philips part number rather than an ANSI standard designation. It is a miniature T10 wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W, specified for the Maxima in model years 2009-2014. Its low wattage and small T10 form factor set it apart from all other bulb types in these specifications.
The Nissan Maxima (2003) uses the 7440 single-filament bulb, while the immediately preceding years 2000-2002 use the dual-filament 7443. These two bulbs share the T20 wedge body but differ in filament count and wiring configuration, making them non-interchangeable for that application.
Model years 2016 and 2019 both specify the 7440, while the intervening years 2009-2014 specify the 12961. This reflects a shift from a low-wattage miniature wedge back to a higher-output single-filament T20 wedge across those generations of the Maxima.
The BAY15d bayonet base of the 1157 bulb requires a socket designed for a twist-and-lock mounting style, which is physically incompatible with the wedge-base sockets used by the 7440, 7443, 3057, and 12961 bulbs specified for later Maxima model years.
The 3057 and 7443 are both dual-filament wedge bulbs operating at 12V, but they differ in body size and wattage ratings. The 3057 uses a T25 body with 27W/7W filaments, while the 7443 uses a T20 body with 21W/5W filaments, making them physically and electrically distinct.
Among all bulb types in these specifications, the 12961 operates at the lowest wattage at 5W, while the 3057 draws the highest current on its main filament at 27W. This range reflects differing tail light assembly designs across the Maxima's production span.