Paul's Travel Pictures

Toyota Corolla Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door panels in an 11th generation 2014-2018 Toyota Corolla to upgrade the speakers.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-001
2014 Corolla Door Panel
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-002
Pry Off Sail Panel
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-003
Sail Panel Removed
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the eleventh generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) Toyota Corolla 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 Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Matrix, Prius, Camry, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, Venza, Highlander, Avalon, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, IS 250, ES 350, GS 350, tC, xB, xD, iQ and FR-S may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to take off the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool (or a large flathead screwdriver) and a Phillips head screwdriver.

To remove the OEM door speaker, you'll need an electric drill with some drill bits in order to drill out the metal rivets.



 
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-004
Disconnect Tweeter Speaker
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-005
Speaker Unplugged
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-006
Door Opener Handle
The first two steps are to lower the power window all the way down and then open the door.

Move to the top inner corner of the door panel and gently pry off the triangular shaped sail panel with a small flathead screwdriver.

On some models, the sail panel contains the tweeter speaker.

Press in the release tab on the tweeter speaker's electrical connector before sliding it straight out of its socket.

Set the sail panel aside in a safe place.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-007
Pry Out Screw Cover
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-008
Screw Cover Opened
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-009
Pry Off Trim Panel
Then move to the area behind the door opener handle and pry out the round plastic screw cover with the small flathead screwdriver.

Next, move to the bottom edge of the door pull handle and pry off the trim panel with a small flathead screwdriver.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-010
Door Pull Handle Cover
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-011
Plastic Trim Piece Removed
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-012
Loosen Counterclockwise
Gently pull off the door pull handle trim panel and set it aside in a safe place.

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

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-013
Top Door Pull Handle Screw
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-014
Phillips Screw Removed
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-015
Remove Lower Screw
Then remove the upper and lower screws in the door pull handle by turning them counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Set the the screws aside in a safe place with the plastic panels.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-016
Bottom Screw Removed
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-017
Insert Pry Bar Tool
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-018
Pull Out Plastic Pop Rivets
Insert the plastic automotive panel removal tool (or a large flathead screwdriver) in between the bottom edge of the door panel and the metal door frame.

Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the door panel to release the plastic pop rivets.

Continue pulling out the friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-019
Lift Door Panel Off Frame
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-020
Tilt Top Edge Towards You
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-021
Door Lock / Opener Cables
Lift the plastic door panel up and off the metal door frame.

Tilt the top edge towards yourself and support the bottom edge with your legs.

There are two methods for disconnecting the door opener handle and door lock switch cables.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-022
Pull Back Plastic Tab
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-023
Release Top Clip
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-024
Pull Back Side Clip
The first method is to disconnect the entire plastic bracket from the back side of the door panel that contains the handle, door lock switch and cables.

Gently pull back the plastic clip on the bottom edge of the bracket, another at the top edge and the third on the side near the cables.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-025
Use Screwdriver
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-026
Entire Bracket Removed
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-027
Opening In Door Panel
If necessary, you may need to use a flathead screwdriver to gently pull back the side retaining clip located below the cables.

Pull the entire bracket out of the back side of the door panel.

At this point, I re-attached the bracket in order to repeat the process using the 2nd method for disconnecting the two cables.



 

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-028
2nd Method - Pull Out Cables
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-029
Lift Ball Out of Socket
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-030
Door Opener Handle Cable
The second method involves disconnecting the actual cables themselves and leaving the plastic bracket attached to the door panel.

Gently pull the white or green plastic collar near the end of the cable out of the "C" shaped socket.

Then swing out the cable and lift the metal bar at the end out of its socket.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-031
Switch Panel Plugs
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-032
Push In Release Tab
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-033
Remove Electrical Connectors
Disconnect the two electrical connectors attached to the bottom of the switch panel by pushing in their release tabs.

Then slide the plugs straight out of their sockets. You might need to use a flathead screwdriver to push in the release tabs if they are very stiff.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-034
Door Panel Removed
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-035
Metal Door Frame
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-036
Two Screws & 2 Panels
Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

The OEM door speaker is located at the bottom inner corner of the metal door frame.

The OEM door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6 1/2" (6.5") and 6 3/4" (6.75").

I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Crutchfield since they usually include any necessary wiring harnesses, power plug adapters or mounting brackets.

To make your new speakers sound better, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will help stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

In order to remove the OEM speakers, you'll need to carefully drill out the metal rivets.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-037
Drill Out Speaker Rivets
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-038
Hold Panel Near Frame
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-039
Push In Power Plugs
Start with a small drill bit to make the first pilot hole and then use a larger drill bit to drill out the pop rivet.

To replace the plastic door panel by holding it near the metal door frame.

Push the white plastic power plugs for the switch panel straight in to their sockets.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-040
Switch Panel Connectors
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-041
Re-Insert Metal Ball
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-042
Pop In Plastic Collar
Then replace the cables for the door opener handle and door lock switch or pop in the entire bracket depending on which method you used previously.

Lower the metal ball at the end of the cable in to its socket, then push the plastic collar in to the "C" shaped socket on the bracket.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-043
2nd Method - Pop In Bracket
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-044
Secure Retaining Clips
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-045
Door Handle Bracket Secured
If you remove the entire bracket, lower in the front edge first and then pop in the rear edge to secure the retaining clips.
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-046
Lower Panel On Frame
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-047
Line Up Pop Rivets
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-048
Firmly Tap In Fasteners
Gently lower the plastic door panel down on to the top lip of the metal door frame.

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

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

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-049
Tighten Bottom Screw
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-050
Replace Top Screw
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-051
Tighten Door Handle Screw
Re-insert the two screws on the door pull handle and tighten them in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Replace the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle and tighten it in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-052
Pop In Screw Cover
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-053
Line Up Trim Panel
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-054
Pop On Trim Cover
Gently pop in the round plastic screw cover over the screw behind the door opener handle.

Line up the plastic trim panel over the door pull handle and gently push it back in to place to secure the friction fasteners.

2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-055
Plug In Tweeter Speaker
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-056
Push On Sail Panel
2014-2018-Toyota-Corolla-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-057
Door Panel Replaced
Push the electrical connector for the tweeter speaker back in to its socket.

Line up the sail panel and gently push it back in to place to secure the friction fasteners.

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

For more, check out my other 2014-2018 Toyota Corolla DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info