Volkswagen Golf R Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Golf R back up light utilizes 921 and 7440 bulb sizes for the specific lighting components located at the rear of the vehicle. Available data for the specified bulb sizes covers the time range from 2012 to 2018.

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
2015-2018	921
2012-2013	921 (With LED Tail Lights)
2012-2013	7440 (Without LED Tail Lights)

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Wedge bulb (T15). 12V, 16W.	921
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament wedge bulb (T20). 12V, 21W.	7440

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volkswagen Golf R uses two distinct backup light bulb types across its model years: the 921 and the 7440, both conforming to ANSI standards for the US and Canadian markets.
The 921 is a T15 wedge bulb rated at 12 volts and 16 watts, while the 7440 is a T20 single-filament wedge bulb rated at 12 volts and 21 watts, making the 7440 a higher-wattage unit despite sharing the same operating voltage.
For the 2015-2018 Golf R, the backup light bulb size is the 921 across all four model years with no noted trim or package variations.
The 2012 and 2013 Golf R each carry two separate fitment entries depending on tail light configuration, requiring the 921 with LED tail lights and the 7440 without LED tail lights.
The T15 and T20 designations refer to the physical wedge base size of each bulb, and these two sizes are not interchangeable due to differing base widths.
Because the 2012 and 2013 model years list two different bulb sizes, confirming whether the vehicle has LED tail lights is a necessary step before selecting a replacement bulb for those years.
The wattage difference between the 921 (16W) and the 7440 (21W) means substituting one for the other would alter the electrical load on the backup light circuit, which is a relevant consideration for vehicles with load-sensitive systems.