Toyota Avalon Tail Light Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The outer tail light of the Toyota Avalon uses the 7443 bulb across the widest span of model years in these specifications, covering 1998-2012 for production from September 1997 onward. The 7443 is an ANSI-standard dual-filament wedge bulb in a T20 form factor, rated at 12V with a 21W high filament and a 5W low filament, making it suitable for combined stop and tail light functions within a single housing.
• Prior to the September 1997 production cutoff, the outer tail light used the 1157 bulb, which shares the same 12V, 21W/5W dual-filament electrical rating as the 7443 but uses a BAY15d bayonet base rather than a wedge base. These two bulb types are not interchangeable despite their identical wattage ratings, as the base designs are physically incompatible.
• The 1157-to-7443 transition in the outer tail light occurred mid-production during the 1998 model year, with 1157 used in units built through September 1997 and 7443 used in units built from September 1997 onward. Correct bulb selection for a 1998 Avalon therefore depends on the vehicle's production date rather than the model year alone.
• The inner tail light position uses T10 miniature wedge bulbs across all listed years, though the specific bulb number varies. The 194 (3.78W) applies to 2005-2010, the 168 (4.9W) applies to 2003-2004, and the 12961 applies to 2002 production from June of that year onward. All three share the same T10 wedge form factor and 12V operating voltage.
• Although the 194 and 168 bulbs share the same T10 wedge base and 12V rating, they differ in wattage, with the 168 drawing 4.9W compared to the 194 at 3.78W. Substituting one for the other may affect light output and could exceed the designed load for the socket in question.
• The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI standard designation. It specifies a T10 wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. Its wattage is slightly higher than both the 194 and 168, and its base coding follows the IEC/ISO naming convention used by European standards rather than the ANSI system used for the 194 and 168.
• The outer tail light for the 2011-2012 Avalon includes a secondary listing for a 168 bulb alongside the primary 7443 entry, indicating that the outer tail light assembly for those years incorporates more than one bulb position, with the 168 serving a separate function within the same general housing area.
• The 7443 and 1157 bulbs both carry a dual-filament design at equivalent wattages, but their base types reflect different engineering standards. The T20 wedge base of the 7443 is a push-in fitment, while the BAY15d base of the 1157 requires a twist-lock installation. Socket construction in the vehicle determines which type is physically accepted.