Toyota
Corolla Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels in a 12th generation 2020, 2021 and 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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2020 Corolla Door Panel |
Door Opener Handle |
Pry Out Trim Cover |
This automotive maintenance
tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the twelfth generation
2019 (hatchback), 2020, 2021, 2022 (and probably also the 2023, 2024 & 2025)
Toyota Corolla sedan 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 and Lexus vehicles such as the Camry, C-HR, Venza, Avalon, 86, Sienna, Tacoma, RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Sequoia, IS 350, RX 350, UX 200, GS 350, IS 300 and ES 350 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The tools needed to remove the door panel include a small flat head screwdriver such as from a precision screwdriver set, a plastic pry bar tool and a standard Phillips head screwdriver. To remove the OEM front door speakers, you'll need a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet or a Phillips head screwdriver. The first two steps are to lower the power window all the way down and fully open the door. Locate the small plastic trim piece situated behind the door opener handle and in front of the door lock rocker switch. Use a small flat head screwdriver to pry out the rear edge of the trim piece. Try to avoid using excessive force. The trim piece should pop out relatively easily. |
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Trim Piece Removed |
Door Pull Handle Trim |
Small Notch - Top Edge |
Set the trim piece
aside in a safe place. Next, move to the trim cover attached to the door pull handle that runs along the length of the armrest. There is a small notch (opening) at the very top edge of the trim cover. |
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Loosen Retaining Clips |
Carefully Pry Bottom Edge |
Trim Cover Removed |
Carefully insert the blade of
the plastic pry bar tool into the notch and gently pry out the trim cover. Continue gently prying out the retaining clips all along the trim cover. Be patient and don't use excessive force. If the friction fasteners are very tight, try inserting several plastic trim panel removal tools in between the trim cover and the armrest to slowly loosen them. Set the trim cover aside in a safe place. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Small Black Screw |
Remove Top Silver Screw |
Loosen the small
black metal screw located behind the door opener handle by turning it in the
counterclockwise direction with a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the small black screw aside with the corresponding trim piece. Remove the silver 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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Upper Screw Removed |
Remove Lower Screw |
Magnetic Screwdriver |
Remove the silver
screw at the bottom of the door pull handle by turning it in the
counterclockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver. If your screwdriver has a magnetized tip, you can easily extract the lower screw. You could also try using a pair of needle nose pliers or a magnetic pickup tool. |
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2 Trim Pieces, 3 Screws |
Bottom Edge Notches |
Insert Pry Bar Tool |
Set the trim cover
aside with the two silver screws. Move to the very bottom edge of the door panel. Locate the notches in the bottom edge. Slide the plastic pry bar tool in between the door panel and the metal door frame. |
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Pull Out Bottom Edge |
Pop Rivets Removed |
Lift Door Panel Off Frame |
Firmly pull out the
bottom edge of the door panel to release the pop rivets. Continue pulling out the friction fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Carefully lift the top of the door panel up and off the upper metal lip on the door frame. |
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Tilt Top Edge Away |
Pull Out Opener Handle |
Lock Switch & Handle |
Tilt the top edge
of the door panel towards yourself. Gently pull off the rear edge of the door opener handle and door lock rocker switch assembly. Pass the silver door opener handle through the opening in the door panel. |
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Two Electrical Connectors |
Push In Release Button |
Slide Out Power Plug |
On the front
passenger door panel, there are two electrical connectors that need to be
released. Push in the release buttons on each electrical connector before sliding them straight out of their sockets. |
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Door Panel Removed |
Metal Door Frame |
Speaker Power Plug |
Set the plastic
door panel aside in a safe place. The speaker is situated at the front bottom corner of the metal door frame. The OEM front door speaker can be replaced with aftermarket car speakers in the following sizes: 6 1/2" and 6 3/4". Push in the release tab on the electrical connector at the top of the speaker before sliding it straight out of its socket. I highly recommend applying some Dynamat sound deadener to the metal door frame and the back side of the plastic door panel to help stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Hold Panel Near Frame |
Push In Power Plugs |
The speaker is held
in place by three bolts. Remove the bolts by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. You could also use a large Phillips head screwdriver. Once you are done replacing the speaker or any other procedure, hold the plastic door panel near the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself. |
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Black Connector Secured |
Re-Insert Door Handle |
Lower Rear Edge |
Push the two
electrical connectors straight into their sockets. You should feel or hear the connectors "click" securely into place. Re-insert the door opener handle through the opening in the door panel. Carefully push in the rear edge of the bracket into the mount. Make sure the cables for the door opener handle and door lock rocker switch are secure. |
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Click Bracket Into Mount |
Lower Panel On Frame |
Line Up Pop Rivets |
Lower the top edge
of the plastic door panel down on to the upper metal lip on the door frame. Line up the pop rivets on the back side of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame. |
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Firmly Tap In Fasteners |
Lower Silver Screw |
Tighten Clockwise |
Firmly tap in the
fasteners all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Replace the bottom silver screw into the door pull handle by tightening it in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver. If you don't have a magnetic tip screwdriver, loosely attach the screw to the screwdriver with a piece of painter's tape. |
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Replace Upper Screw |
Replace Small Screw |
Re-Insert Trim Piece |
Replace the upper
silver screw by turning it in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head
screwdriver until it is snug. Replace the small black screw behind the door opener handle and in front of the door lock rocker switch by turning it in the clockwise direction. Try to avoid over tightening the screws to prevent from cracking the plastic door panel. Line up the small plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle. |
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Pop In Trim Piece |
Line Up Trim Cover |
Push To Secure Clips |
Gently pop in the
trim piece. Make sure it is securely attached. You should feel or hear the retaining clips "click" into place. Line up the trim cover for the door pull handle and outer edge of the armrest. |
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Trim Cover Secured |
Armrest Cover In Place |
Door Panel Replaced |
Carefully and gently push on the trim cover to secure all of the retaining clips. If you encounter resistance, make sure the retaining clip is lined up with the corresponding slot. Sit in the vehicle, close the door and verify 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 speaker upgrade or any other repair procedure in your vehicle's service records. Please check out all of my
2020 Toyota Corolla DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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