Nissan Sentra Brake Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The 1157 bulb is the most frequently specified brake bulb across the Nissan Sentra's history, covering model years 1982-1996. It is a dual-filament bulb with a BAY15d bayonet base, rated at 12V and 21W/5W, where the two wattage values correspond to its high-intensity brake function and low-intensity tail light function respectively.
• The 3057 bulb is specified for the Nissan Sentra (2007-2012) brake light position. Like the 1157, it carries dual-filament construction but uses a T25 wedge base rather than a bayonet fitting, and operates at a higher wattage of 27W/5W, making it a non-interchangeable replacement for the 1157 despite serving the same dual-function role.
• The 7443 and 7440NA are both T20 wedge bulbs operating at 12V, but they are not interchangeable. The 7443 is dual-filament at 21W/5W, while the 7440NA is single-filament at 21W with natural amber glass. The 2023 Sentra uses the 7440NA, whereas the 2018 and 2020-2021 model years use the 7443.
• The 2020 Nissan Sentra brake bulb specification of 7443 carries a conditional note indicating it applies specifically to vehicles equipped with halogen capsule headlamps, reflecting a trim-level or package dependency within that model year.
• For the center high mount stop light, the 921 wedge bulb (T15, 12V, 16W) is the most consistently specified size, appearing across model years 1993-1994 and 2000-2012. Its variant, the 912, shares the same T15 form factor but is rated at a lower 12W, and was specified for model years 1995-1999.
• The center high mount stop light on the Sentra used the 1156 single-filament bulb with a BA15s bayonet base for model years 1985-1992. The 1003 bulb, also a single-filament BA15s type rated at 12V and 21W, was specified for the earlier 1982-1984 model years in that same position.
• The BAY15d base of the 1157 and the BA15s base of the 1156 and 1003 are physically distinct bayonet fittings. The BAY15d base has offset pins to accommodate dual-filament operation, while the BA15s base has aligned pins suited to single-filament bulbs, making cross-substitution between these types mechanically incompatible.
• All bulb types listed across both the brake light and center high mount stop light positions conform to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada, indicating standardized electrical and physical specifications shared across manufacturers in those markets.