Volkswagen Golf Trunk Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Golf trunk light utilizes 6411, DE3423, and 12961 bulb sizes for the internal illumination components. Data for the specific lighting requirements spans the period from 1999 through 2021.

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
2021	6411
2015-2020	DE3423
1999-2002	12961

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6411
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volkswagen Golf trunk uses three distinct bulb types across its model years: the 6411, DE3423, and 12961.
The DE3423 is the most frequently specified trunk bulb for the Volkswagen Golf, covering the 2015-2020 model years.
Both the 6411 and DE3423 are festoon-style bulbs, meaning they are cylindrical lamps that seat between two end contacts rather than inserting into a socket.
The 6411 and DE3423 differ in length, at 36mm and 41mm respectively, which makes them physically non-interchangeable despite both being festoon types on the same vehicle platform.
The 2021 Golf specifies the 6411, which operates at 12V and 5W with an SV8.5 base, a bayonet-style end cap that twists to lock into compatible festoon holders.
The DE3423 uses end-cap contacts rather than an SV8.5 base, meaning it relies on spring-loaded or clip-style holders rather than a twist-lock mechanism.
The 1999-2002 Golf models specify the 12961, a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, which is a fundamentally different bulb format from the festoon types used in later years.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designation rather than an ANSI standard code, though it corresponds to the widely recognized T10 wedge form factor operating at 12V and 5W.
The T10 wedge base of the 12961 is incompatible with the festoon holders used for the 6411 and DE3423, as the two formats require entirely different socket types.
Both the 6411 and DE3423 carry ANSI standard designations applicable to the US and Canadian markets.