NHTSA Complaint #11577218 — 2021 TOYOTA RAV4

On February 14, 2024, I was driving to pick up a friend who needed a ride to an appointment. I had the lane correction feature on while I was driving on the interstate. When I exited the interstate, I traveled on a two-lane road that becomes narrow as it travels along a downhill slope. This road has a steep ravine on the right side of the road caused by rainwater runoff. There are reflector signs cemented into the road along the steep drop off. Because there was no oncoming traffic, I crossed the center line avoiding getting too close to the edge. When I did so, the lane correction feature activated, pulling the car hard into the signs along the road. As a result, the entire right side of the car received extensive damage. I was fortunate not to have lost control of the vehicle and gone through the signs into the ditch. My first reaction was to think that I had lost a wheel or had a tire blow out for the car to have jerked so hard to the right. When I stopped, I saw that this was not the case. I have since read that there have been many instances where the auto lane correction has caused other accidents like mine, some of which have been more severe. It is unfortunate that I have the inconvenience of getting the damages fixed and an accident being reflected in my insurance as a result. However, I feel fortunate that I was driving the car and not one of my children who may have lost control. I am glad the signs were securely installed to keep me from rolling into the ditch. I feel most blessed that nobody was injured. What if I had swerved to avoid a person walking on the road instead of the signs posted there? There was not a police report taken on this accident. It was reported to the dealer and insurance company who referred me to Caliber Collision for repairs where it is currently. There were no warning lights prior to the incident.