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Toyota Prius Door Panel Removal Guide
How to remove the front interior door panels of a third generation 2010 to 2015 Toyota Prius hatchback hybrid.

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Prius Front Door Panel
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Door Handle Trim Panel
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Trim Piece Removed
This automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Toyota Prius hybrid hatchback in removing the front door interior panels in order to upgrade the speakers, add soundproofing material, replace the power window motor or replace the courtesy light bulb.

Owners of the previous 2nd generation 2004-2009 Prius and other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Corolla, Matrix, Camry, Sienna, Avalon, Highlander, RAV4, FJ Cruiser, Venza, 4Runner, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, IS250, ES350, tC, FR-S, iQ, xD, and xB may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to remove the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a plastic pry bar tool or a standard flathead screwdriver and a standard Phillips head screwdriver.



 
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Remove Phillips Head Screw
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Panel & Screw Removed
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Pry Out Door Pull Cover
The first step is to gently pry out the trim piece behind the door handle with a small flathead screwdriver.

Then remove the single Phillips head screw behind the door handle trim panel.

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Door Pull Cover Removed
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Remove Phillips Head Screw
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Pry Up Arm Rest Trim Piece
The next step is to pry out the small trim panel that rests at the bottom of the well in the door handle pull.

Remove the single Phillips head screw below the trim panel.

Use the flathead screwdriver to pry up the trim panel that runs along the outer edge of the arm rest.

Once the panel has been loosened, pull it straight up to remove it.

Don't pull the arm rest trim panel at an angle to avoid breaking the plastic clips.

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Pull Arm Rest Panel Up
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Arm Rest Trim Panel Removed
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Pull Away Bottom Edge
Once the two Phillips head screws and the arm rest trim panel have been removed, you can begin to actually remove the door panel itself.

Move to the bottom of the panel and firmly pull towards yourself until the plastic pop rivets are removed.

If you have trouble pulling out the bottom of the panel, use an automotive pry bar tool or a large flathead screwdriver.

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Pull Out Plastic Pop Rivets
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Lean Panel Forward
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Door Lock & Handle Cables
Continue pulling out the plastic pop rivets all around the edges of the door panel.

Lift the panel upwards and off the door frame before leaning it forward to access the connectors and cables.

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Pop Out Cable End
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Remove Metal Ball
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Remove Other Cable
Remove the two cables that operate the door handle and door lock mechanisms by first popping out the white and green plastic collars from the black plastic mount.

Swing the cable end outwards and lift the metal ball at the end of the cable out of its socket.



 

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Power Connectors
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Press Release Tab
Press the release tabs on the two white plastic plugs for the power window and door lock buttons.

Pull them straight out of their sockets.

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Disconnect Power Plugs
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Unplug Courtesy Light
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Door Panel Removed
Move down to the bottom edge of the door panel and disconnect the courtesy light by pressing the release tab on the power plug.

Set the door panel aside in a safe place.

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Set Aside Panel
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Front Door Speaker
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Drill Out Metal Rivets
In order to remove the OEM door speakers, you will need to drill out the four metal rivets.

The OEM door speakers can be replaced with 5 1/4" (5.25"), 6 1/2" (6.5") or 6 3/4" (6.75") aftermarket speakers. The use of a bracket may be needed to make them fit.

I'd recommend ordering new speakers from Amazon since you can verify that they will fit your vehicle and also whether or not you will need a mounting bracket.

To help reduce road noise and allow your new speakers to sound their best, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

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Release Courtesy Light
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Pop Off Outer Enclosure
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Pull Out Old # 168 Bulb
If you need to replace a burnt out courtesy light bulb, pop out the housing from the bottom of the plastic door panel.

Remove the outer plastic cage over the bulb socket and pull the bulb straight out.

Push in a new # 168 miniature wedge base bulb straight into the socket.

You may also be able to use a # 2825, 194 or choose a brighter LED bulb.

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Plug In Courtesy Light
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Insert Power Window/Lock Plugs
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Re-Attach Door/Lock Cables
To re-install the door panel, first connect the courtesy light power plug by pushing it straight into the socket.

Then push in the two plugs for the power window and door lock switches.

Re-attach the door handle and door lock cables by first inserting the metal balls into their sockets.

Then swing the plastic collar on the cable towards the panel and snap it into place on the black plastic bracket.

Be sure to install the door lock cable (white plastic collar) on top and the door handle cable (green plastic collar) at the bottom of the black plastic mount.

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Lower Panel On Door Frame
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Line Up Plastic Pop Rivets
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Push In Pop Rivets
Gently lift the door panel up and then lower it down on to the edge of the metal door frame.

Swing the bottom of the panel closed while lining up the white plastic pop rivet fasteners with the holes in the metal door frame.

Gently push the plastic pop rivets back into place all around the edges of the door panel.

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Push On Arm Rest Trim
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Replace Arm Rest Screw
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Replace Door Pull Trim
Lower the arm rest trim panel straight down on to the door panel and gently snap the clips into place.

Replace the single screw in the well of the door pull and then cover it with the black plastic trim piece.

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Replace Door Handle Screw
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Replace Door Handle Trim
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Front Door Panel Replaced
Insert the other Phillips head screw behind the door handle and tighten it to just past hand tight.

Replace the black plastic trim piece behind the door handle and push it into place.

For more, check out my other Toyota Prius DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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