Volkswagen Jetta Dome Light Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Jetta dome light utilizes 12961, DE3423, and 6411 bulb sizes depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data covers a range from 1980 through 2024 for the components listed.

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
2020	DE3423
2015-2018	6411
2006-2009	6411
2004	6411
1980-2000	6411

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
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6411

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 6411 is the most frequently specified dome light bulb for the Volkswagen Jetta, covering model years 1980-1988, 1989-2000, 2004, and 2006-2018 across these specifications.
The 6411 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base, a 36mm length, and a 12V, 5W electrical rating. Its end-cap contacts make contact with spring-loaded holders on each side of the festoon socket.
The DE3423 is also a festoon-style bulb but measures 41mm in length, which is 5mm longer than the 6411. Although both types share a similar end-cap contact design, the difference in length means the two are not interchangeable.
The 12961 is a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. Its wedge base design differs fundamentally from the festoon format used in all other listed Jetta model years, making it physically incompatible with festoon-style sockets.
For the 2023-2024 Volkswagen Jetta, the specified 12961 carries a Philips part number rather than an ANSI designation, indicating it is sourced as a manufacturer-branded component rather than a generic industry-standard part.
The 2020 Jetta uses the DE3423, which is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb recognized in both the United States and Canada, rated at 12V with a 41mm festoon length.
Three distinct bulb formats appear across these specifications: the T10 wedge (12961), the 41mm festoon (DE3423), and the 36mm festoon (6411). Each requires a socket type specific to its format, and none of the three is a drop-in substitute for either of the others.