I have a 2004 Scion Xb with a manual transmission. When I shift the car
into reverse and begin to back up the car often shudders, sometimes
violently. My local dealer (Toyota of Santa Barbara) said that this was
normal, but it sure seems like something is wrong.
Has anyone else experienced this?
What is causing this?

whats your rpm at when your reversing? you should try to let the clutch out around 1200-1500 rpm, that will let it not shudder at all, also, don't let the clutch out all the way, unless your going pretty fast in reverse, i tried it a couple of times with the clutch out all the way, they it bumped alot.

All it is is a funky gear ratio for reverse and not the best synchros for reverse9if it has a synchro at all) , so....thats probably the hiccup. It's all about using a sly clutch foot.

So, I take it you guys have experienced this shaking issue in your Scions as well?
I've driven many other manual transmission cars and none have been this touchy when it comes to letting the clutch out in reverse.
Interesting point about the synchros... I wonder if Toyota cut some costs by not paying much attention to the manual transmission reverse gear. (from what I can tell from my local dealer, manual transmission Scions are by far in the minority)

Thanks for the feedback guys.
I'm new to this forum and already I'm pretty impressed.

I don't have much of a problem but have gotten it once or twice . A few people with an identical problem have found out that their exhaust tubing was hitting a small bar halfway down the car just behind the front seat , if you have the means check that. If it is in fact a rattling , if it is just a shudder I beleive it to be normal , if it ever gets worse by all means take it in to your dealer and describe in detail what time of day , temp and other variables come into play regarding the severity of the shudder (if it actually changes )

I would imagine that it is your driving style if anything.