Ford Taurus Map Light Bulb Size

The Ford Taurus map light utilizes 12961, 578, 211-2, 912, 168, and 561 bulb sizes for the interior illumination system. Available data for the specified components covers the range from 1986 through 2019.

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
2010-2019	12961
2008-2009	12961 (Front)
2008-2009	578 (Rear)
2007	578
2006	211-2
1998-1999	211-2
1996-1997	578
1992	912
1991	168
1989-1990	912
1988	561
1986	912

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V, 12W.	578
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 12W.	211-2
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Wedge bulb (T15). Variant of 921. 12V, 12W.	912
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 44mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V, 12W.	561

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 12961 is a Philips-designated miniature wedge bulb using the T10 form factor with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. It is the map light bulb specified for the Ford Taurus across the 2010-2019 model years.
For the 2008 and 2009 Ford Taurus, the map light system uses two distinct bulb sizes: the 12961 for the front position and the 578 for the rear position. These two bulbs are not interchangeable with each other due to differences in base type and wattage.
The 578 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts, rated at 12V and 12W. It draws significantly more power than the 12961, which operates at only 5W.
The 211-2 is also an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with a 41mm length, but it uses an SV8.5 base rather than end-cap contacts. Although the 578 and 211-2 share the same length and voltage rating, their base types differ, which affects physical fitment.
The 578 and 211-2 are both 41mm festoon bulbs rated at 12V and 12W, but they are not direct substitutes for each other due to their differing base configurations.
The 912 is an ANSI-standard wedge bulb using the T15 form factor and is classified as a variant of the 921. It is rated at 12V and 12W, placing it in a substantially higher wattage class than the T10-based bulbs used in later model years.
The 168 is an ANSI-standard miniature wedge bulb in the T10 form factor, rated at 12V and 4.9W. While it shares the T10 form factor with the 12961, the two bulbs carry different part designations and wattage values.
The 561 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with end-cap contacts rated at 12V and 12W, but its length is 44mm, distinguishing it from the 578 and 211-2, which are both 41mm festoon types.
Across the full range of specifications, the map light position on the Ford Taurus has used wedge-type and festoon-type bulbs from separate electrical categories, with wattage values ranging from 4.9W to 12W depending on the model year.
The 12961 carries a Philips part number rather than an ANSI designation, which is a structural difference from the other bulb types listed in these specifications, all of which follow ANSI standards used in the US and Canada.