Volkswagen Passat License Plate Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Passat license plate light uses bulb sizes 12961 and DE3423 according to the provided data. Information for the lighting components covers the range from 1990 to 2015.

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
2012-2015	12961
2009-2011	DE3423
2008	12961
2001-2007	DE3423
1990-2000	12961

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

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volkswagen Passat license plate position uses two distinct bulb types across its model range: the 12961, a Philips-designated miniature wedge bulb, and the DE3423, an ANSI-standard festoon bulb.
The 12961 is a T10 wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12 volts and 5 watts. The W2.1x9.5d base designation refers to a wedge-style contact with a 2.1mm wire width and a 9.5mm base width.
The DE3423 is a festoon-type bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts at both terminals. It operates at 12 volts and follows the ANSI standard used across the United States and Canada.
These two bulb types are not interchangeable. The T10 wedge base of the 12961 and the end-cap festoon format of the DE3423 require different socket configurations in the license plate housing.
The Volkswagen Passat used the 12961 bulb from 1990-2000, representing the earlier portion of the model range covered by these specifications.
The DE3423 festoon bulb was specified for the 2001-2007 and 2009-2010 model years, making it the more frequently listed bulb type across the full range of these specifications.
The 2008 Volkswagen Passat returns to the 12961 specification, placing it between two DE3423 periods, which means the 2007 and 2008 model years require different bulb types despite being consecutive.
The 2011 model year is absent from these specifications, and the 2012-2015 Passat returns to the 12961 wedge bulb, the same type specified for the 1990-2000 range.