Saab 9-5 Map Light Bulb Size

The Saab 9-5 map light utilizes bulb sizes 12961 and DE3423 for interior illumination purposes within the cabin area. Data for the specified components covers the production range from 1999 through 2011.

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
2010-2011	12961
2005-2009	12961 (Rear)
2003-2004	DE3423 (Front, Spotlight)
2003-2004	12961 (Rear)
1999-2002	DE3423

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.	DE3423

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 12961 is a Philips part number for a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. The wedge base design means the bulb is held in place by tension from the socket rather than a separate locking mechanism.
The DE3423 is an ANSI-standardized festoon bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts, rated at 12V. Festoon bulbs make electrical contact at both ends of the housing rather than through a base pin or wedge.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation on the 12961 refers to a specific wedge base width and pin spacing, which determines socket compatibility. A bulb with a different base code is not a direct physical fit even if the voltage matches.
The Saab 9-5 uses the 12961 bulb for the rear map light across the 2005-2011 model years, representing the longest continuous application of a single bulb type in these specifications.
For the 2003-2004 Saab 9-5, the front map light position is designated as a spotlight and uses the DE3423 festoon bulb, while the rear map light position uses the 12961 wedge bulb. These two positions require different bulb types and are not interchangeable.
The 2000-2002 and 1999 model years list only the DE3423 with no positional qualifier, whereas the 2003-2004 entries specify the DE3423 as a front spotlight application. The absence of a rear entry for 1999-2002 reflects the data as provided rather than a confirmed absence of a rear position.
The T10 wedge form factor of the 12961 is a widely used standard in automotive interior lighting, which means aftermarket and LED replacement options are broadly available under the same T10 or W5W designation, though the 12961 specifically denotes the Philips 5W halogen version.
The DE3423 designation follows ANSI standardization applicable in the United States and Canada. The 41mm festoon length is a critical fitment factor, as festoon bulbs of different lengths such as 36mm or 44mm will not seat correctly in a socket sized for 41mm.
The 2010-2011 Saab 9-5 entries list the 12961 without a positional qualifier, distinguishing them from the 2005-2009 entries where the same bulb is explicitly noted as the rear position.