Volkswagen Passat Dome Light Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Passat dome light utilizes unique bulb sizes 12961, DE3423, and 6411 depending on the specific production requirements for the interior illumination system of the vehicle. Available data for the specified lighting components covers the range of 1990 through 2021 for the various configurations listed in the provided records.

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	12961
2012-2016	12961
2007-2011	DE3423
2002-2006	6411
2001	DE3423
2001	6411 (Early Model)
1990-2000	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 Volkswagen Passat dome light draws from three distinct bulb types across its model history: the 12961, the DE3423, and the 6411.
The 6411 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base, rated at 12V and 5W, with a 36mm length. It is the most widely used dome light bulb across the Passat's model history, appearing in the 1990-2000 and 2002-2006 model years.
The DE3423 is also an ANSI-standard festoon bulb, rated at 12V, but measures 41mm in length and uses end-cap contacts rather than an SV8.5 base. It is specified for the 2007-2011 model years.
Although both the 6411 and DE3423 are festoon-style bulbs operating at 12V, their differing lengths and contact types make them non-interchangeable.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a miniature wedge bulb of the T10 type, using a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. Unlike the festoon types, it uses a wedge-style base rather than end contacts. It is specified for the 2012-2016 and 2021 model years.
The T10 wedge format of the 12961 is physically incompatible with the festoon sockets used by the 6411 and DE3423, meaning it cannot serve as a substitute in earlier Passat model years.
The 2001 Volkswagen Passat carries two separate dome light bulb specifications: the 6411 for the early model and the DE3423 for a later production variant within the same calendar year.
The 6411 and DE3423 share the same 12V operating voltage, but the 6411 carries an explicit 5W rating while the DE3423 specification does not include a wattage value.
The 12961 is identified by a manufacturer part number rather than an ANSI designation, distinguishing it from the 6411 and DE3423, which are defined by the ANSI standardization system used in the United States and Canada.