How To Remove Front Door Panel 2003-08 Honda Pilot

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In this video, we're going to show you to remove and reinstall a front door panel for a 2003 Honda Pilot. It's the same for all 2003 to 2008 models. We show you on the driver side, but the passenger side is a similar procedure. You'll need a flat blade screwdriver both kind of medium size and a smaller size as well as a Phillips screwdriver.

Start with a flat blade screwdriver. I just like to pry the bottom of that lens and pull that light bulb out just to save the battery. Then you can use your hands or a flat blade screwdriver, pry out the top of this triangle piece at the top near the mirror and the top pops out. Then the bottom kind of goes in and out. Now the switch panel, pry at the bottom of it. It comes out. There are three harnesses to disconnect. They all just have little tabs that you press with your thumb or your finger. Then pull the harness connection out. The last one you'll probably have the most difficult time with. It just hadn't been apart before, so press the tab and just pull. I use a screwdriver to help press the tab a little bit. Then it will finally come out after I work it just a little bit.

There's a small trim panel behind your inside door handle. Use a small flat blade screwdriver or a pick and pry the top of it out first. There are two black Phillips screws behind there, one gold screw behind that blue connector, and then one gold-plated screw down there. Take a Phillips screwdriver and remove those four screws. Now take your door handle and pull the top of it out first. You want to pull the top out and rotate it out so you can get to the connection behind the door lock switch. Again, it's just a little tab that you press with your thumb and pull it off.

Then the door lock rod is connected so there's a little white clip that you have to push off with your finger or you could use a flat blade screwdriver. You push the clip off and then pull the rod up and out. The door handle comes off. Now firmly pull around the outside of the door handle, release the clips, and then lift the door panel up and off.

There is one more harness on the driver's side there. When you go to reinstall, get the panel close and reconnect that lower harness. Then make sure your three harnesses come up through the bottom opening, and then your door lock harness comes up through the top opening. Then lift the panel up into place. It slides down to the window ledge. Get the door lock in place first. Then if you kind of pull the bottom out and push it down over the lock it will go on a little easier.

Set the door on the door window ledge and then push it down and help that lock through. Then, once it's on there right, the clips around the perimeter on it line right up and you can just give it a tap right around the perimeter and lock it in place. Put the bottom of the triangle trim piece in first. Then rotate the top up and lock it in place.

Then put your door handle in place. Bring it around. Actually, we want to reconnect the lock rod first. You've just got to work the rod into the hole and then flip the clip around and lock it back on. It's almost impossible to video so you just kind of see me here working it. You can hear it snap in place there. Then reconnect the power door lock harness.

Then slide the bottom of the door handle in first and then push the rest of it into place. Fast-forward as I put the four screws back in, the two that hold the door handle and if you see me, I put that trim handle back in place as well. Then the two larger gold plated screws that hold the door panel in place. Make sure your door is unlocked so you don't lock yourself out accidentally. Reconnect all the harness and the master switch and the mirror switch. Put the front of the switch panel back in place first and then push the rear of it and the middle of it down into place. Then replace your bulb and lens.

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