The Pontiac Wave spans 1995–2026 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 30 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Pontiac Wave — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Pontiac Wave is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Pontiac Wave VIN — every digit explained
Every Pontiac Wave carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Pontiac and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Wave.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the number is stamped on your Wave, see our free VIN decoder.
How many recalls does the Pontiac Wave have?
The Pontiac Wave has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Pontiac Wave
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Pontiac Wave — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Pontiac Wave problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Pontiac Wave — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Pontiac Wave specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Pontiac Wave. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Pontiac Wave window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Pontiac Wave cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Wave holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 91 cu ft of passenger volume and 12 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Pontiac Wave tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Pontiac Wave get?
The Pontiac Wave returns up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,000/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2009 Pontiac Wave (1.6L 4-cyl) gets 30 mpg combined and costs about $2,100/yr to fuel, emitting 296 g/mi CO₂ — that's about $500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Wave | 27 | 34 | $2,100 | 296 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2006 Wave | 22 | 32 | $2,400 | 342 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2005 Wave | 23 | 32 | $2,300 | 329 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Wave stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Wave's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Pontiac Wave have? Power & range
The Pontiac Wave is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Pontiac Wave cost to own?
A Pontiac Wave depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used Wave is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Wave loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $10,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Wave ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Pontiac Wave safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Wave yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Pontiac Wave last?
A well-maintained Pontiac Wave typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Pontiac Wave’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Wave’s VIN free →All Pontiac Wave model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Pontiac Wave — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2025 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2024 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2021 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2018 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2017 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2016 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2015 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2014 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2013 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2012 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2011 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2010 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2009 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2008 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2007 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2006 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2005 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2004 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2003 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2002 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2001 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 2000 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 1999 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 1998 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 1997 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 1996 Wave | 0 | — | |
| 1995 Wave | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Wave?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Pontiac Wave.
How many recalls does the Wave have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Pontiac recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Wave get?
Up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Wave last?
A well-maintained Wave typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Wave reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Pontiac Wave — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Pontiac Wave warranty?
New Pontiac models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Pontiac dealer.
Where is the Pontiac Wave made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Wave's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Pontiac may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Wave have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.