Cannot open rear door.

SOLVED!!!!! Both of my rear doors stuck shut, wouldn't open from outside or inside, the locks seemed to be working properly. After scouring the web I found a post explaining a design flaw was responsible. If the doors were unlocked while someone was pulling on the door handle the mechanism would get stuck. I was able to get the inner door panel removed without breaking anything, only the backseat bottom needs to be removed. It takes some finesse to get the bottom clips undone but IT IS POSSIBLE. Once I had the door panel removed I was disappointed that pulling on the lever from inside wasn't working to disengage the door. Finally I recalled the post that explained why so many people were experiencing this issue with the cars. I reversed the action that caused the issue to begin with, pulling the lever thats connected to the door while holding it I unlocked the door and it finally disengaged. I will post of video when i get around to the other backdoor

Armrest Door Pull
Remove Rubber Cover
Remove 10mm ***** The first step is to pry out the plastic trim plate behind the chrome colored door release handle using a small flathead screwdriver.Then remove the 10mm ***** behind the plate using a ratcheting wrench with an extension bar attached.
Next pry out the rubber cover at the bottom of the door pull located in the center of the arm rest. Use a Torx T-25 (star bit) screwdriver to remove the two screws.
Remove Torx T25 Screws
2 T-25 Torx & 1 10mm *****
Pry Up Arm Rest Panel Use a flathead screwdriver to pry up the rear of the plastic arm rest panel. There is a plastic hook at the front of the panel, so only pry it up from the rear edge.
Lift Rear End First
Plastic Hook At Front of Panel
Power Window Connector After you lift out the arm rest panel, you'll need to disconnect the power connector for the window and door lock switches.
Push Connector Release Tab
Power Connector Unplugged
Two More T25 Screws Push on the release tab with a flathead screwdriver and pull out the power window / door lock connector.Use a Torx T25 screwdriver to remove the two screws located below the arm rest panel.
Remove T25 Torx Screws
Outer Edge of Panel
Push In Center of Fastener Then move to the outer edge of the door panel and locate the two small round fasteners. Use a small screwdriver to pop in the center pins of the two fasteners.
Pull Out Plastic Rivet
Black Plastic Fastener Removed
Remove Lower Fastener Pull out the two plastic rivet fasteners and set them aside in a safe place.
Pull Panel Away From Door
White Plastic Pop Rivets
Pull Off Sail Panel Grab the door pull in the arm rest and tug it towards yourself to disengage the pop rivet friction fasteners that hold the panel to the door frame.Move to the top corner of the door panel and pry off the triangular "sail" panel. On some vehicles, the sail panel contains the tweeter speaker.
Lift Panel Off Door Lock
Pull Out Door Pull Cable Lift the door panel off the door lock button and tilt the top of it out towards yourself.Use a pair of needle nose pliers to gently lift the metal ball at the end of the door opener cable out of the mechanism.
Disconnect the door cable from the back side of the door panel.
Door Pull Cable Removed
Disconnect Power Mirror Then disconnect the power connector for the side view mirror by lifting up on the release tab. Slide the power connector off the plastic anchor on the metal door frame.
Slide Connector Off Anchor
Unlock Connector
Connector Detached Look behind the door panel and locate the large wire connector with the pink lever lock. Swing the lever open to unlock the connector and separate it from the socket.


Door Panel Removed
Power Window Motor
10mm Bolts Now the door panel can be completely removed by lifting it up and off the door frame.To replace the power window motor, remove the 10mm bolts.
Stock OEM Door Speaker
Remove 7mm ***** The stock "OEM" speaker is held in place by a single 7 mm *****. Remove it with a socket and ratcheting wrench.
Pry Off OEM Speaker
Speaker Removed
Disconnect Power Plug If the speaker is stuck to the door frame, gently pry it off with a small flathead screwdriver.Disconnect the speaker's power plug by pressing the release tab with the small flathead screwdriver.
Fits 5.25", 6.5", 6.75"
Re-installing Door Panel According to the Crutchfield website, the 2008 to 2012 Chevrolet Malibu's front door speakers can be replaced withaftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 5 1/4", 6 1/2" or 6 3/4" speakers with the use of a bracket.If you'd like to reduce road noise, make your car quieter and also improve the sound from your speakers, I'd recommend applying some Dynamat Sound Deadener on to the metal door frame.
Re-Attach To Anchor
Plug In Power Side View Mirror
Re-Insert Power Connector To re-install the door panel, first hold the panel close to the door frame before re-connecting the large wire plug. Swing the pink lever closed to lock it in place.Slide the socket for the power side view mirror back on to its anchor and insert the power plug.
Lock Power Connector
Pink Lever Locked
Re-Insert Door Pull Cable Ball Insert the metal ball at the end of the door opener cable back in to the door handle mechanism.Slide the black plastic cone part of the cable back into the slot in the door opener assembly.
Door Opener Cable Reinstalled
Hang Door Panel On Frame Gently lower the door panel down on to the edge of the door frame with the door lock switch through the opening at the top.
Line Up White Plastic Fasteners
Push On Sail Panel
Push Door Panel In Place Move to the bottom of the door panel and line up the white plastic pop rivet fasteners with the holes in the metal door frame.Push all around the door panel to re-insert the pop rivet fasteners.
Re-attach the sail panel at the top corner of the door frame.
Push Panel Flush Against Frame
Insert Side Edge Fasteners
Insert Larger Piece First Next move to the side edge of the door panel and first re-insert the larger piece of the two fasteners. Then insert the smaller "pin" piece of the fastener into the middle of the larger piece.
Insert Small "Pin" Piece
Install Lower Edge Fastener
Tighten 2 T25 Torx Screws
Re-Attach Power Connector
Insert Front Hook First Insert and tighten the two Torx T-25 screws located under the arm rest.Re-attach the power connector to the plastic arm rest panel.
First insert the hook at the front of the arm rest panel and then snap the rear end in place.
Pop Arm Rest Panel In Place
Tighten 2 T25 Screws
Replace Rubber Cover Insert and tighten the two T25 Torx screws into the door pull cup. Then replace the rubber cover over the two screws.
Tighten 10mm Door Handle *****
Replace Door Handle Trim Plate
Malibu Door Panel Replaced Replace the 10mm ***** that goes above and behind the door opener handle and tighten it. Pop in the plastic trim plate behind the door handle.

This involves opening the door and looking at any exterior screws including those near the door handle, the lever to pull to open the door. Most panels that contain switches are just clipped in. Try and remove this with your fingers gently and once it comes out of panel disconnect the wiring. Remove any and all screws you can see and those in pockets you may not (underside of door pull and rarely under switch panel) then gently pull the door panel away from the door starting at the bottom and working you way up. Be careful as some panels you have to pull away from the door at the bottom and then lift up on as they can have plastic hooks that secure the panel tightly against the door. Most panels will often have press in fasteners that will remove easily with the use of a body panel removal tool (available at most auto parts stores and harbor freight). Once it appears door panel is loose, use caution to allow yourself to inspect rear side of door panel for clips that may hold wire to the panel for switches. You have have to remove door lock pieces (knobs/sliding mechanism) to remove the panel from the door. Take time and use care and with enough patience you will have it off. And the next door/(s) you have to do will be easier even for other vehicles.

Its not off the track!!
You just lost the holders clipping your window glass piece.

• Look for screws in door panel or around the speaker vents.
• If you are sure that the speaker cant be removed without opening the door panel then read this below.
  

• Mostly seen near areas like door lever(inside), power window switch set, bottom and each sides of the whole panel.
• If its manual window, then look for a circle clip in between the winding window lever and the door panel. Plunge screw driver between them a make a gap then look.
• Assure that all clips or screws which obstacles the removal of the panel.
• Simply pull the panel from sides towards you

Crawl through the rear seats and remove the trim panel with a Philips screwdriver. Most likely the actuator rod has come off at the lock mechanism. Once the trim panel is off you will be able to open the deck lid by hand.

I had the same problem. There are screws you can remove, some are hidden in the carpet( feel for the holes) of the rear panel, the rest are snaps. I removed as much as I could, including the side plastic, and pulled the panel away under the bottom of the window enough to stick my arm down there to reach the release rod, gave it a pull and the door popped open. you will need to wear a long sleeve shirt(thin material) to keep from getting cut on the sharp plastic. have a flashlight and a friend handy. have the friend on the outside lifting the lever while you use the flashlight to see the rod that opens the door, about 3 inches to the right of center ( looking at it from inside the car). reach down and feel for the rod and pull up. IN my case the screws that secured the lated to the door had come loose, throwing the adjustment for the pull rod out of wack. When you get the door open you can remove the rest of the screws on the rear panel and do a complete repair.

remove the little cosmetic piece of the mirror inside the car, remove the door pull, remove the opener lever disconnecting the snaps holding the mechanism to the rods. get a tool and go around the edges and bottom loosening the snaps. open the window and lift the door panel up and out. replace the speakers. put the panel back on in reverse order. install the pull and the cosmetic piece. go get drunk. wake up the next day and with a set of needle nose pliers attempt to hook those snaps back onto the rods and reinstall the opener lever mechanism.

I just fixed this same problem. It happened to me 3 different times in a month so I got good at it. Before you dive into removing your door try this. Pull the door handle and release it letting it snap back several times. The problem is a half open door latch that won't let the door unlock. Do this as aggressively as you can to attempt to get the latch to return to its original position. Check the door lock between flicks.

Ok, if that didn't work, here is how to remove the door.
1. Remove the screw behind the door latch, you will have to pop the plastic cover off first.
2. Remove the rubber insert in the door handle
3. Remove the screw that is now visible
4. Now remove the window/lock control module, the back is free but the front has a plastic lip so lift the back up and pull towards the back of the van.
5. Remove the clips that attach to the lock and to the window controls (these can be a pain)
5. (Optional) Remove the bracket that held the window/lock control module

At this point your door is basically free, it is only held in place with plastic clips that can be easily forced off. If your door were open you would simple pull the bottom of the door out (hinged at the window) and lift it off. But since we can't pull because the door is closed we have to force it out.

From here it is pretty simple. Move the seat all the way back and tip the seat way back. Lift the door panel straight up. You will be breaking 2 plastic clips from the rear part but once you do it just pulls out. This is not that easy because the space is limited but just keep pulling and force the rear end of the door panel past the b-pillar. Once you do this it is free.

Have fun and try to keep the black gook from getting everywhere.

Oh, to fix the door lock just oil/grease it and manually move the mechanism several times.

Most Japanese cars have inside panels with plastic twist screws mounted along the side edges of the door panels. After un-screws the hardware, you need to slide your fingers on the edges of the inside door panels and slowly pry it off. Follow the pattern around the edge and work little bit at a time to get around the door panel. Don't forget any wire cable harness and connectors which usually connect inside the door. You need to remove them to be able to remove the inside door panel completely. Once it is removed, you can then work to fix the lever for the door handle from the inside.


good luck