How do I remove the rear door panel from my 2000 toyota camery? Specifically the inside door handle cover. I have the panel 90% off, however, I believe the door handle that releases the latch seems to be keeping me from removing the entire panel. There is a surround piece around the handle that I am afraid I will break if I put any more pressure on it. Please help.

I think the way I would attach this is to remove what can be removed. The lights and covers on the door and I am sure the handle and its vanity plate can be removed. From that point you should be able to get an inspection mirror in there far enough to see what is hanging the door up.

Remove the door panel, to get access to the handle,
from inside the door

This is common. I had to disassemble the door from the inside. You can order a replacement handle from ebay. Look for the metal one so you won't have to do this project again. Then, remove screws at the main handle on the inside and on the pull strap. After this you should be ale to pull the panel out as it is held in with plugs. Now look for a way to release the door, swap the handle and replace. I'm sorry I can't be more help, but it's been a while since I did this project. Good luck!

for passenger side:
1. unclip screw cover 'center flap' of inside door opener plastic cover, flap is 3/8"x 3/8" (center of plastic cover)
2. remove phillips screw now showing
3. push fabric panel (edge of door opener plastic cover-at hinged end of chrome handle) to allow uncliping of edge of plastic cover (top rt & lwr rt (for passenger side) of plastic cover)
4. open chrome inside door handle to allow plastic cover to be removed-slide plastic cover toward rear, free end of door to remove cover
5. remove switch panel-gently pry with wide non maring pry bar (cover wide blade screwdriver using cloth) do rear of sw panel 1st (don't pry front edge)
6. slide switch panel toward rear to allow removal
7. remove large phillips screw under sw panel
8. remove the 2 plastic covers near top, hinge edge -use plastic spoon handles to encourage caps to pop off. May also require small screwdriver approx 1/8" in to complete pop off
9. remove the 2 phillips screws w/ captive washers
10. remove 3 phillips/hex screws along the bottom inside of door panel
11. on outside/rear edge of panel push the 2 center pins of each in about 1/8"-this allows the clip to be pulled out w/ pin pushed in
12. remove plastic cover (REAR OF SIDE MIRROR)-pull window edge up and back.
13. lift rear of door panel (not hinge edge) up allow hinge edge to pivot around lower pin in door (hinge edge)
14. remove the 2 rt edge "L" brackets (gently pry center plastic pin out) (note the color and replace as removed)
15. slowly peel the clear plastc away from the non hinged end to expose the plastic panel with 3 phillips head screws
16. remove the 3 screws and panel for access to door handle.
17. using access area now available unlatch the rod attached to exterior door handle (unclip plastic to rotate clip up to allow rod to slide out-toward hinged edge)
18. using access area now available remove rod from ext door handle from inside door area
19. remove the 3 -10mm head bolts
20. remove the ext door handle (bottom edge out first)
reverse order to replace door handle

Make sure to get an aftermarket all metal handle, mine broke twice!

You have to remove the Panel cover that cover the rear door. First remove the Trim around by popping it out.

There are several bolt that hold the panel. un bolt those. Start with the one on the inside Handle. Pop the cover out and you can access the Backup bulb.


Good luck.

This happened to me with the Sienna,
I had to remove the panel on the inside of the rear door and found the other side of the handle.
If you need to fix it?
http://www.findonefindall.com/toyota-sienna/siennareardoor.htm

Bring the vehicle into the dealer if you have a sticky gas pedal. This is a TOYOTA PROBLEM.
Door handle:
It easy ! You need a philips and flat screw driver,and a needle nose pliar.
Use flat screw driver and pry out the two or three dust covers for the arm rest screws then use philips and remove the screws. Next use the flat screw driver and pry out the black plastic mirror cover from the inside of the door. Pry out the switch with the flat screw driver and disconnect it. On the side of the door panel just above the striker/loch mechanism is this plastic push pull type of a hold in screw. Use flat screw driver to get it to move a little then pull it out with the needle nose. Depending on which door your doing if you have a map folder in the door there are two more screw to remove on the bottom of the door.
Now the inside door handle is tricky it comes out in TWO pieces. Use philips and get the only hold down screw you see out.( you may have to pry out a little screw cover first) Now the inside door handle cover is removed by placeing the flat screw driver on the rear of the outside of the cover top and on the outside rear bottom to release the tangs that are holding it onto the panel.Pry it out lightly you may have to place the screw driver over the top of the door release button and pry that way. Don't loose your cool its a pain but it will fall out. Once its removed unhook the panel.

Next lift the plastic cover and remove the door handle hooks and levers . Basically use common sense this is easy stuff. There may be two screws from inside of door panel that keep handle in place . Then work handle loose from outside and inside . reverse for installation.

Remove the rear door armrest by prying upward (secured with 3 clips/claws)

Remove the rear window switch assembly by prying upward (secured with 4 clips/claws)

Remove one phillips head screw from behind the inside door release handle.

Remove two phillips screws from either side of the door pull pocket

Pry the bottom edge of the panel away from the door, releasing 7 pop-in fasteners

Lift up on the panel to remove it from the door.

Once inside there will be two 10mm bolts holding the glass onto the regulator.

remove the screws that hold the inside door handle and clips behind the door panel