2022 Volkswagen Jetta

The issue with the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is the steering wheel which appears to be a known issue. A warning light and audible warning tone activate repeatedly while the car is in motion with the alert of "Travel Assist Currently Not Available". The frequency of the alert by tone and alert light is excessive and distracting while driving the car. The issue appears to be from an internal failure in the wheel's capacitive touch hands-detection sensor mat. In my 2022 Jetta, the original wheel at purchase had the exact same issue and was replaced under warranty. The wheel that Volkswagen replaced it with had the same defect, and the problem began occurring again in 2 or less years. Currently the alert begins and continues any moment that I touch any part of the bottom of the steering wheel. I communicated with Volkswagen for help and they indicated this car/VIN does not apply to any technical bulletin for them to do anything about it, but it appears based on my experience that they are knowingly providing and installing steering wheels with this issue that effects the car and driver's attention in motion.

NHTSA ID

11766421

Incident

Sep 23, 2026

The vehicle is currently experiencing steady coolant loss with no external puddles.My vehicle is at 65,000 miles, placing it just 5,000 miles outside of the 60,000-mile factory powertrain warranty. This specific issue matches the exact symptoms of Volkswagen Technical Service Bulletin #2071245 (Service Action 15-23-01) regarding the premature failure of the factory head gasket.Because this is a well-documented manufacturing defect that VW.

NHTSA ID

11756558

Incident

Aug 7, 2026

My 2022 Volkswagen Jetta (purchased new) has a recurring Travel Assist/Adaptive Cruise Control safety malfunction that has existed since before approximately 24,000 miles. While driving with Adaptive Cruise Control or Travel Assist engaged, the vehicle repeatedly warns me to "Take Control of the Vehicle" or indicates my hands are not on the steering wheel even though both hands are firmly on the wheel. I often have to immediately tighten my grip to prevent the system from escalating. On numerous occasions, the vehicle has also applied the brakes unexpectedly at highway speeds when there was no apparent hazard in front of the vehicle. These unexpected braking events create a serious safety concern, especially in traffic. I drive between [XXX] and [XXX] approximately twice each month. During a typical one-way trip, the steering wheel recognition warnings may occur a dozen or more times while using Travel Assist or Adaptive Cruise Control. Unexpected braking has occurred repeatedly over the course of ownership. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealer multiple times for this same issue. Volkswagen has replaced the steering wheel multiple times, updated software, opened a Technical Assistance Center (TAC) case, and at least one technician duplicated the concern during a test drive. Despite these repeated repair attempts, the problem continues. I am reporting this because I believe the recurring Travel Assist failures and unexpected braking present an ongoing motor vehicle safety defect. Below it asks for the approximate date the incident occurred. It started approximately in XXX but it happens all of the time still. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11749181

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle experienced a failure related to the steering wheel assembly that caused the "Travel Assist Not Currently Available" warning to appear while driving. The issue affected the operation of the vehicle's driver assistance systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control and Travel Assist functions. An authorized Volkswagen dealership diagnosed the vehicle and confirmed that the steering wheel assembly requires replacement. The vehicle is currently available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure caused the vehicle's driver assistance and safety systems to become unavailable while the vehicle was being operated on public roadways. The unexpected loss of Adaptive Cruise Control and Travel Assist functionality could increase driver workload and create a potential safety risk, particularly during highway driving where these systems are designed to assist with vehicle control and spacing from other traffic. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An authorized Volkswagen dealership inspected the vehicle, retrieved diagnostic fault codes, and confirmed that the steering wheel assembly is defective and requires replacement. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Volkswagen dealership. The dealership diagnosed the fault and determined that the steering wheel assembly requires replacement. The dealership has submitted a goodwill assistance request to Volkswagen because the issue first occurred before the vehicle exceeded the warranty mileage limit. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The vehicle displayed a "Travel Assist Not Currently Available" war

NHTSA ID

11743357

Incident

May 29, 2026

Travel assist unavailable warning comes on several time a minute with a visual indicator and loud chime. Very distracting while driving. Known issue to VW

NHTSA ID

11742529

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

Head Gasket, premature failure at 49k miles. Online this a very common issue for Jetta and Taos owners that Volkswagen is not addressing through a recall. This will cause engines to fail.

NHTSA ID

11742452

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

the components that failed are the rear brakes and rotors. we no longer have the components as the vehicle would not pass inspection without having the work completed. The manufacturer sent a letter to customers affected by this issue as it is a known issue for this year/make/model. the inspection location advised that given the mileage on the vehicle there is no reason it should need this type of work performed, under 25k miles on vehicle. the only warning that was given was the letter sent by the manufacturer. we took our vehicle back to the dealership when the letter was received and were informed they would not complete the outlined work on our vehicle. now that the vehicle would not pass inspection, the brake work had to be performed so my daughter could get back and forth to work

NHTSA ID

11741996

Incident

May 16, 2026

The steering wheel touch sensors has malfunctioned and whenever the steering wheel is grabbed from the bottom half, the lake keeping assist errors out and the car throws a "travel assist unavailble" in the guage cluster. My steering wheel was replaced under warranty less than a year ago for this issue, it seems to have returned (unfortunately my car is out of warranty now). VW seems to be aware that this is a wide-spread issue since they have released an internal TSB for it, but refuse to issue a warranty extension for the same.

NHTSA ID

11740896

Incident

May 28, 2026

Repair or Replace Information

Update Programming of the Engine/Motor Control Module -J623-

Steering wheel sensor mat (hands on detection) and software deviation in the steering wheel detection control module -1158-.

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: Part number 3Q0-959-435N software version number 1307 has incorrect coding.

Warranty Alignment Worksheet

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.