1999 chevy prism door won't open from inside or outside

Yes could be safety.

Remove the door panel and inspect the latch rods for damage or broken retention clips. A video is below of how to remove the panel.

Probably the lock in the latch.
You'll have to remove the inside door panel to get to the latch.

Did you ever get the sliding door handle fixed? I have the exact same problem and would love to know how you fixed it. Please email me at [email protected] thanks!

replace bar linking inside with outside handle undo handle remove square bar inspect both parts replace which ever is worn or broke

I am working on this RIGHT NOW. Remove panel (see Utube) remove white cover (Torx 25) from interior of exterior handle. You will see that lifting the handle pushes a rod down The rod is attached to the bottom half of the mechanism via a cheapo plastic connection, that can work loose. It is like a screw shaft (top) that squeezes (sideways) into a blue plastic channel which merely pinches the "screw shaft" to hold it. The connection has come loose. Squeeze upper shaft into (lower) blue channel. Added tiny bit of epoxy to bond "screw shaft" onto blue plastic gripper. Done. Saved $500.

from inside or outside ? if won't open from inside your child safety lock is probably tripped. if won't open from outside you probably have a lock rod that popped off inside the door, in which I would have the dealer fix it, it involves taking door pad off and when you can't open door to take pad off ,most of the time it damages it.

Try a slim jim first, down the side of the window. Or AAA or locksmith. If no luck, remove the seat first. Find the screws and bolts around the door handle and arm rest. Most Ford's have screws around the outer side of the panel. I don't believe your's does. The panel lifts or pops off. Once the panel is off, you can reach down and open the door. Just a note. I have done some to where the panel came out in pieces.

It sounds like the connecting rod popped out of its plastic connector. Pull the door panel off and check both ends of the rod. It must be unhooked at one end or the other.

If you can't open the door you can pull the corresponding seat to gain access and remove the inner door panel