Nissan Pathfinder License Plate Bulb Size

The Nissan Pathfinder license plate light utilizes 168, 12961, 89, and 194 bulb sizes depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data for the lighting components spans from 1987 through 2020.

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
2015-2020	168
2013	168
2007-2012	12961
2000-2006	168
1999	89 (Early Model)
1997-1998	168
1996	89
1995	168
1987-1994	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	89
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 168 bulb is the most frequently specified license plate bulb across the Nissan Pathfinder's model history, covering the 1995-2006 and 2013-2020 model years, as well as 1997-1998.
The 168 is an ANSI-standard miniature wedge bulb in the T10 form factor, rated at 12V and 4.9W, and is widely used in North American automotive applications.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designation for a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. It was specified for the Nissan Pathfinder from 2007-2012.
Although both the 168 and 12961 share the T10 wedge form factor, the 12961 carries a manufacturer-specific part number rather than an ANSI designation, which is a relevant distinction when sourcing replacements.
The 194 bulb is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge type rated at 12V and 3.78W. It was specified for the Pathfinder from 1987-1994, making it the earliest bulb type in these specifications.
While the 168 and 194 share the same T10 wedge base, their wattage ratings differ at 4.9W and 3.78W respectively, meaning the two types are not electrically identical despite their physical similarity.
The 89 bulb differs fundamentally from the other specified types. It uses a BA15s bayonet base rather than a wedge base, operates at 12V and 13W, and is classified as a lower-wattage variant of the 1156 bulb family.
The 89 bulb's bayonet base makes it physically incompatible with sockets designed for T10 wedge bulbs, so it cannot be substituted with the 168, 194, or 12961 without a socket modification.
The 1999 Nissan Pathfinder (Early Model) is specified with the 89 bulb, indicating that a mid-year production change occurred, as other 1999 configurations are not separately listed in these specifications.
The 1996 Pathfinder is specified with the 89 bulb, while the surrounding model years of 1995 and 1997 both use the 168, reflecting a non-consecutive fitment pattern for that bulb type.