Volvo V90 Tail Light Bulb Size

The Volvo V90 tail light requires H21W and 1157 bulb sizes for the specific lighting components located at the rear of the vehicle. Data for the specified bulbs covers the period from 1997 through 2021.

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
2021	H21W
2018-2019	H21W
1997-1998	1157

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ECE standard (Europe & worldwide). Single-filament signalling bulb with BAY9s base. 12V, 21W.	H21W
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V, 21W/5W.	1157

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The H21W is an ECE-standardized single-filament bulb operating at 12V and 21W, built on a BAY9s base. It is used in signalling functions such as turn signals and brake lights across markets following European and international regulations.
The 1157 is an ANSI-standardized dual-filament bulb with a BAY15d bayonet base, rated at 12V with two filaments drawing 21W and 5W respectively. The dual-filament design allows a single bulb to serve two lighting functions, typically combining a brighter stop or turn signal output with a dimmer running light.
The Volvo V90 uses the H21W bulb for its tail light across the 2018-2019 and 2021 model years.
The 1997-1998 Volvo V90 uses the 1157 bulb for its tail light.
The H21W and 1157 are not interchangeable. Despite sharing a 12V operating voltage and a common 21W output on their primary filament, the two bulbs use physically different bases. The BAY9s base of the H21W and the BAY15d base of the 1157 are incompatible with each other's sockets.
The generational shift between the 1157 in the 1997-1998 V90 and the H21W in the 2018-2021 V90 reflects a transition from ANSI-standard to ECE-standard components, which corresponds to differing regional regulatory frameworks governing automotive lighting.