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Honda Civic Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door panels in a 9th generation 2012-2015 Honda Civic to upgrade the speakers.

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2013 Civic Door Panel
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Door Opener Handle
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Push Down Release Tab
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the ninth generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and maybe also the 2016) Honda Civic in taking off the plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers, add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch or replace a broken power window motor.

Owners of other Honda or Acura vehicles such as the Accord, Crosstour, CR-V, CR-Z, Fit, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, ILX, TSX, TLX, TL, RLX, RDX and MDX may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to remove the door panel include a small flathead screwdriver, a standard Phillips head screwdriver and a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive pry bar tool.

To remove the OEM door speakers, you'll need a Phillips head screwdriver.



 
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Screw Behind Trim Panel
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Arm Rest Switch Panel
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Small Notch Front Edge
The first two steps are to lower the power window all the way down and open the door.

To release the plastic trim panel behind the door opener handle, press down small tab at the top of the cover with a small flathead screwdriver before prying it out.

Set the trim panel aside in a safe place.

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Gently Pry Up Switch Panel
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Pull Off From Arm Rest
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Switch Panel Removed
Then move to the front edge of the electrical switch panel.

Insert the flathead screwdriver in to the small notch at the front edge of the switch panel and gently pry it up.

Continue pulling up the switch panel to disengage the friction fasteners.

On some Civic trim levels or model years, you may need to pry from the rear edge of the trim panel. So if your switch panel does not look exactly like the one on this 2013 Civic, do not use excessive force and try prying at the rear edge as well.

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Press Release Tab
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Disconnect Power Plug
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Remove Phillips Head Screw
Turn over the switch panel and press the release tab on the white plastic power connector before sliding it straight out of its socket.

Set the switch panel aside in a safe place.

Remove the single screw behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver.

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Door Handle Screw Removed
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Remove Arm Rest Screw
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2nd Phillips Screw Removed
Set the screw aside with the door opener handle trim panel.

Then remove the screw at the center of the arm rest by turning it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Set the screw aside with the other screw and the two panels.

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Two Screws & Two Panels
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Insert Flathead Screwdriver
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Pull Out Pop Rivet Fasteners
Insert a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal tool in between the bottom edge of the plastic door panel and the metal door frame.

Firmly pull out the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners along the bottom edge of the door panel.

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Friction Fasteners Removed
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Lift Off Plastic Door Panel
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Door Panel Removed
Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Lift the door panel off the metal door frame and set it aside in a safe place.



 

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Metal Door Frame
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OEM Door Speaker
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Remove Phillips Head Screw
The OEM door speaker is held in place by a single Phillips head screw.

Remove the screw by turning it counterclockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver.

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Speaker Screw Removed
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Pry Off Old Speaker
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OEM Speaker Removed
After you remove the screw, the speaker may still be stuck to the door frame by an adhesive foam backing.

Gently pry off the speaker with a flathead screwdriver.

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Speaker Disconnected
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Power Window Motor
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Lower Panel On Frame
Squeeze together the two sides of the power connector to release the retaining clips before sliding it straight out of the socket.

The OEM front door speakers (and also the rear deck speakers) can be replaced by aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 5 1/4" (5.25") and 6 1/2" (6.5").

I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary electrical connectors, wiring harnesses and mounting brackets.

To help reduce road noise and improve the sound from your speakers, add some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help to reduce unwanted vibrations and stop rattles when you crank up the volume.

To replace the door panel, lower it down on to the metal lip at the top of the door frame.

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Pull Out Power Plug & Cable
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Line Up Plastic Pop Rivets
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Tap In Friction Fasteners
Pull the electrical connector for the switch panel out of the opening in the arm rest.

Line up the pop rivets on the back side of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame.

Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

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Replace Arm Rest Screw
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Push In Electrical Connector
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Line Up Switch Panel
Replace at the center of the arm rest by turning it clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Push the white plastic power connector in to the socket at the bottom of the switch panel.

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Re-Insert Tab On Rear
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Lower Switch Panel
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Push In Friction Fasteners
Re-insert the tab on the rear edge of the switch panel in to the slot on the arm rest.

Push the switch panel down on to the arm rest to secure the friction fasteners.

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Replace Door Handle Screw
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Re-Insert Trim Piece
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Trim Panel Replaced
Replace the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise.

Push in the plastic trim panel behind the door opener handle.

Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock switch and power window switch all still work properly.

Be sure to record the speaker upgrade or any repair in your car's service records.

For more, check out my other 2012-2015 Honda Civic DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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