The Thor Wave spans 1997–2009 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Thor Wave — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Thor Wave is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1997 to 2009 across multiple generations.
How to read a Thor Wave VIN — every digit explained
Every Thor 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 Thor and the country it was built in (real Thor codes below).
- 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.
- USA5TY
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 VIN is stamped on your Wave, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Thor Wave have?
The Thor Wave has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1997–2009. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Thor Wave
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Thor Wave — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Thor Wave problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Thor 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.
Thor Wave specifications & dimensions
The 2009 Thor Wave. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Thor Wave window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Thor Wave cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Wave holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
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.
Thor 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 Thor Wave get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Thor Wave have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Thor Wave cost to own?
A Thor 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 — based on EPA economy 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 Thor 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 Thor Wave last?
A well-maintained Thor 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 Thor 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 Thor Wave model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Thor Wave — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | — |
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 Thor Wave.
How many recalls does the Wave have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1997–2009. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
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 Thor Wave — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Thor Wave warranty?
New Thor 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 Thor dealer.
Where is the Thor 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; Thor 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.