Subaru Crosstrek License Plate Bulb Size

The Subaru Crosstrek license plate light uses 12961 and 168 bulb sizes according to the provided specifications for the lighting components. Data for the lighting requirements covers the range from 2017 to 2024.

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
2020-2024	12961
2017-2019	168

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Subaru Crosstrek license plate position uses two distinct bulb types across its model years: the 12961 and the 168, both of which share the T10 miniature wedge form factor.
The T10 designation refers to a tubular bulb with a 10/8-inch body width, commonly used in low-intensity automotive applications such as license plate, parking, and courtesy lighting.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI or SAE industry-standard code, and it specifies a W2.1x9.5d wedge base operating at 12V and 5W.
The 168 carries an ANSI standard designation recognized across the United States and Canada, and it operates at 12V with a rated power of 4.9W.
The Subaru Crosstrek (2021-2024) uses the 12961 bulb for the license plate position.
Model years 2017-2019 use the 168 bulb instead, which differs from the 12961 in its base coding and rated wattage despite sharing the same T10 body type.
Although both bulbs share the T10 wedge body, the 12961 specifies a W2.1x9.5d base designation while the 168 is defined under a separate ANSI standard, and the two are not confirmed as interchangeable within these specifications.
The 0.1W difference in rated power between the 12961 (5W) and the 168 (4.9W) reflects a minor variation in filament design between the two standards rather than a meaningful difference in light output for typical license plate illumination.