Back up camera broke (tabs)
 

I was washing the car today and I noticed my backup camera was loose. I took off the silver trim to examine it and it appears the little plastic tabs holding it in place are broken. Perhaps from washing it?

I am tempted to use a heavy duty trim adhesive but I also wondered if this has happened to anyone else?

I repaired it and I think it will be pretty strong. Only time will tell. I had some 3m molding tape that I cut to fit after removing the foam on the camera. I had to use two layers to get the depth correct. I also used a hairdryer to get a good adherence. I used a very small amount of silicone adhesive around the perimeter to seal off any unwanted moisture intrusion.

Just to be clear I took off the inside panel of the hatch and removed the camera from the car to clean it and fit the tape.

It feel pretty solid. I will update this as everyone can see if the repair worked. I hated spending $150 when the camera worked fine.

I wonder how the tabs broke? I've used the car washes where they use pressure washer and my camera is fine. Hopefully your fix will hold up.

I am betting I touched it with my buffer last time I polished the car. I just can’t see how it would have broke otherwise.

The 3M tape is super strong and I am betting it will be there until someone removes it. I have heard of people using it to mount spoilers etc.

Also, the way the tabs work on the camera is such that the right (passenger side) slides onto the sheet metal holding it in place. Mine was fine on that side. The left (driver side) has a friction fit tab that likely has a bit of spring or flex to hold it tight. That part broke on mine. In my opinion it is a bit of a, pass the buck, oversight to manufacture the camera into the mount with tabs such as they are.

So one side of mine is normal and everything has tape so I have a good feeling about it all.