Hyundai Elantra Stepwell Bulb Size

The Hyundai Elantra stepwell light requires a 12961 or DE3175 bulb size depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data for the bulb specifications covers the period from 1995 through 2003.

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
2001-2003	12961
2000	12961 (Front, From 7/1/2000)
1995	DE3175 (To 9/18/1995)

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, 31mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3175

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Hyundai Elantra stepwell bulb specification covers model years 1995 and 2000-2003, with two distinct bulb types appearing across that range.
The 12961 is a Philips-designated miniature wedge bulb in the T10 form factor, using a W2.1x9.5d base and rated at 12V, 5W. The wedge base design means the bulb is held in place by tension from the socket walls rather than by a separate locking mechanism.
The DE3175 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with a 31mm length and end-cap contacts, also rated at 12V. Festoon bulbs make electrical contact at both ends of the housing rather than through a base pin or wedge, making it physically incompatible with sockets designed for wedge-type bulbs.
The 12961 wedge type and the DE3175 festoon type are not interchangeable. Their base designs are fundamentally different, and substituting one for the other is not possible without a socket adapter.
For the 2000 Hyundai Elantra, the 12961 specification applies only to vehicles produced from July 1, 2000 onward. Units produced before that date fall outside this specification entry.
The 1995 Hyundai Elantra DE3175 specification applies only to vehicles produced through September 18, 1995, indicating a mid-year production change occurred within that model year.
Model years 2001-2003 share an identical stepwell bulb specification, all requiring the 12961 wedge bulb with no noted production date restrictions.