We often have customers reach out to us who purchased an H16 bulb, only to realize that it doesn't fit. This situation can be quite frustrating, but it doesn't have to be.
Among aftermarket LED manufacturers, there is a common misconception surrounding the 5202 bulb, which is that it is often mislabeled as an H16. In Japanese vehicles, however, the H16 bulb actually belongs in the H9/H11 bulb category. The main differences between the H8, H9, H11, and H16 bulbs lie in their wattage levels and the presence of a painted reflector cap on the glass tube. It's worth noting that the H16 bulb is primarily intended for fog lights, while H11 bulbs are commonly used for headlights. Consequently, it is possible to come across H11 bulbs that closely resemble H16 bulbs but have higher wattages.
In the below photos, you can see the noticeable differences between the H16 and the 5202 bulbs.
To put it simply, Japanese manufacturer vehicles like Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, and Subaru typically use an H16 bulb for their fog lights, which can be replaced with an H11 bulb (with a higher wattage). On the other hand, American manufacturer vehicles such as Chevrolet, GMC, and Ford utilize a 5202 bulb instead of the Japanese-style H16 for their fog lights.