Subaru Forester Courtesy Bulb Size

The Subaru Forester courtesy light utilizes a 12961 bulb size for illumination within the interior cabin area of the vehicle. Data for the specific component 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
2023-2024	12961
2021	12961
2017-2019	12961

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Subaru Forester uses the 12961 bulb across its courtesy lighting positions, a Philips part number designating a miniature wedge-type T10 bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base.
The W2.1x9.5d base is a wedge-style connector, meaning the bulb is held in place by friction rather than a locking bayonet or screw mechanism.
The 12961 operates at 12 volts and draws 5 watts, placing it in the low-wattage range typical of interior courtesy and map lighting applications.
The T10 designation refers to the bulb's tubular envelope width, expressed in tenths of an inch, making it one of the most widely used miniature bulb formats in automotive interior lighting.
The Subaru Forester (2017-2019 and 2021-2024) shares the same 12961 courtesy bulb specification across all listed model years.
Because the T10 wedge format is common across many vehicle makes and models, aftermarket and LED substitutes are widely produced in this base type, though voltage and wattage compatibility with the vehicle's circuit should be confirmed before substitution.
The 12961 is a Philips-branded part number; equivalent bulbs from other manufacturers are typically cross-referenced under the generic T10 or W5W designation, the latter reflecting the bulb's wattage and base type in European nomenclature.