Volkswagen Rabbit front turn signal bulbs utilize 1156NA, H21W, or 1157 sizes, while rear turn signal bulbs use 1156 size. The replacement chart covers 1975 through 2009 model years with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The 1156 bulb is the most consistently used type across the Volkswagen Rabbit's turn signal specifications, appearing in the rear turn signal position for both the 1975-1984 and 2006-2009 model years.
The 1156 is a single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 21W, fitted with a BA15s bayonet base, and follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada.
The 1157 bulb, specified for the front turn signal on the 1975-1984 Volkswagen Rabbit, is a dual-filament type rated at 12V with a 21W main filament and a 5W secondary filament, using a BAY15d bayonet base.
The dual-filament design of the 1157 distinguishes it from the single-filament 1156, meaning the two bulbs are not interchangeable despite sharing a similar bayonet-style base format.
The BA15s base of the 1156 and the BAY15d base of the 1157 differ structurally: the BAY15d has two offset pins to accommodate dual-filament orientation, while the BA15s has a single-pin alignment, preventing cross-fitment.
For the 2006-2009 front turn signal, the Volkswagen Rabbit requires either the 1156NA or the H21W depending on headlamp type, with the 1156NA specified for halogen capsule headlamp configurations and the H21W for HID headlamp configurations.
The 1156NA is a natural amber glass variant of the 1156, sharing the same BA15s base and 12V/21W rating, but its amber coating is built into the glass rather than relying on an amber-tinted lens housing.
The H21W follows the ECE standard used in Europe and worldwide, operates at 12V and 21W, and uses a BAY9s base, which is physically incompatible with the BA15s base of the 1156NA.
Because the 1156NA and H21W serve the same front turn signal position on 2006-2009 models but use different base types, selecting the correct bulb requires confirming whether the vehicle was equipped with halogen capsule or HID headlamps.
The 1157 specified for the 1975-1984 front turn signal position carries a higher filament count than any bulb listed for the rear position across all model years covered in these specifications.