Toyota RAV4
Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels and upgrade the speakers in a 2019 to 2023 Toyota RAV4.
2019 RAV4 Door Panel |
Door Opener Handle |
Pry Out Trim Piece |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fifth
generation (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and the facelifted 2023 model year) Toyota
RAV4 SUV in removing the plastic interior door panels in order to upgrade
the OEM speakers, add sound deadening material, fix a faulty electrical
switch or replace a broken power window motor. Owners of other Toyota and Lexus vehicles such as the Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Prius, Avalon, C-HR, GR86, Venza, Sienna, Sequoia, 4Runner, IS 250, IS 300, IS 350, ES 350, GS 350 and GX 460 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to remove the door panel include a plastic pry bar tool and a Phillips head screwdriver. If you'd like to remove the OEM door speakers, you'll need an electric drill with a set of drill bits. The first two steps are to open the door and lower the power window all the way down. Locate the small plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle. Use the plastic pry bar tool to gently pull it out from the rear edge. |
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Screw Cover Removed |
Door Pull Trim Cover |
Locate Small Notch |
Try to avoid using
excessive force. The trim piece should pop out relatively easily. Next, move to the "L" shaped trim cover on the outside of the door pull handle and along the switch panel. There is a small notch on the bottom of the trim cover. |
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Insert Plastic Pry Bar Tool |
Pry Out Retaining Clips |
Gently Pry Out Trim |
Insert the blade of
a plastic pry bar tool or a flat head screwdriver into the notch. Gently pry out the trim cover to release the plastic retaining clips. Do NOT us excessive force. Remove and reinsert the plastic pry bar tool in several locations along the bottom edge of the trim cover to release all of the retaining clips. Do NOT pry near the very rear edge of the trim cover (at the back side of the armrest). There are a few plastic hooks on the rear edge that could be broken if you pry at the very rear edge. |
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Pry Off Top Part |
Trim Cover Removed |
Two Trim Pieces |
Move to the top of
the "L" part of the trim cover and pry out the retaining clips. Once you have released all of the retaining clips, carefully remove the trim cover. Set the trim cover aside in a safe place. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Phillips Screw Removed |
Remove Top Screw |
Loosen the screw
situated behind the door opener handle and door lock rocker switch by
turning it in the counterclockwise direction with a Phillips head
screwdriver. Set the screw aside with the small plastic trim piece. Remove the screw at the top of the door pull handle by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver. |
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Remove Lower Screw |
Use Magnetic Screwdriver |
Pull Out Screws |
There is also
another screw near the center of the door panel close to the switch panel. Remove it by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver. To remove the screws from the recessed holes, I used a screwdriver with a magnetic tip. |
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Pry Out Bottom Edge |
Release Pop Rivets |
Lift Panel Off Frame |
Move to the bottom
edge of the door panel. Insert a large plastic pry bar tool or a large flat head screwdriver in between the plastic door panel and the metal door frame. Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the door panel to release the plastic friction fasteners. Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Carefully lift the plastic door panel up and off the metal lip on the top of the door frame. |
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Two Cables |
Pull Out Bracket |
Bracket Released |
Tilt the top edge
of the door panel towards yourself so that you can access the back side. The cables that operate the door opener handle and the door lock switch are attached to a black plastic bracket. Gently pull the rear edge of the bracket off the door panel. |
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Remove Door Handle |
Push In Release Tab |
Disconnect Power Plug |
Pull the chrome
silver door handle out of the opening in the door panel. On the front passenger door panel, there are two electrical connectors for the switch panel. Push in the release tabs on each connector and slide them out of their sockets. |
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Disconnect 2nd Plug |
Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Set the plastic
door panel aside in a safe place. The OEM front door speaker is located at the front bottom corner of the metal door frame. |
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Drill Out Metal Rivets |
Disconnect Speaker Plug |
Plastic Window Cover |
If you'd like to
upgrade the OEM speaker, you'll need to carefully drill out the metal
rivets. The OEM front and rear door speaker can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6 3/4" and 6 1/2". To help prevent any rattles or vibrations when you crank up the volume, I highly recommend applying some Dynamat sound deadener to the metal door frame and plastic door panel. If you'd like to access the power window motor, you can remove the white plastic cover as shown in the pictures above and below. |
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To remove the white plastic cover, rotate the three round white fasteners 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction to release them. | ||
Access Window Motor |
Line Up Door Panel |
Push In Power Plugs |
To replace the door
panel, hold it near the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge towards yourself to access the back side. Push the electrical connectors back into the sockets. You should feel or hear the power plugs "click" securely into place. |
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Switch Panel |
Insert Door Handle |
Push Down Bracket |
Reinsert the chrome
silver door handle through the opening in the back side of the door panel. Gently push down on the rear edge of the black plastic bracket to secure it to the back side of the door panel. Make sure the cables for the door opener handle and door lock switch are properly attached to the bracket. |
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Lower Panel On Frame |
Line Up Pop Rivets |
Tap To Secure Fasteners |
Lower the top edge
of the plastic door panel on to the upper lip of the metal door frame. Line up the pop rivets on the back side of the door panel with the corresponding holes in the metal door frame. Firmly tap in the friction fasteners all along the bottom and both sides of the door panel. |
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Replace Phillips Screw |
Tighten Clockwise |
Replace Top Screw |
Replace the black
metal screw behind the door opener handle by turning it in the clockwise
direction until it is snug. Try to avoid over tightening the screw to prevent from cracking the plastic door panel. Replace the two silver metal screws into the top and center of the door pull handle by tightening them in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver. |
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Push In Trim Piece |
Arm Rest Trim Cover |
Hooks - Rear Edge |
Push the small
plastic trim piece back into place behind the door opener handle. Line up the "L" trim cover with the door pull handle and armrest. First, reinsert the hooks on the rear edge of the trim cover. |
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Reinsert Hooks First |
Push In Retaining Clips |
Door Panel Replaced |
Gently push on the
"L" shaped trim cover to secure all of the retaining clips. Check that every part of the "L" shaped trim cover is flush with the door panel at every edge. Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and make sure that the door opener handle, door lock rocker switch, power window switch, power door lock switch and speaker are all still working properly. Be sure to write down the procedure in your vehicle's service records. For more, please check out all of my
2019-2023 Toyota RAV4 DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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