I have just got on here because I was searching for problems with my 2003 RAV4 automatic which is thumping into gear suddenly. This thread is somewhat older than I expected and I am in the UK and I see a lot of posters are in Australia or USA. I see people talking about ECU or an ECM - are they the same thing? And what is that? I can't get my car into the Toyota garage in Canterbury for another ten days and I am frightened to use it as it is. Will I do it more damage if I do? (No chance of Toyota paying out - my car was second hand and in perfect order when I purchased it). Any help or comments would be appreciated. Thanks Jill