1A Auto Video Library
Our how-to videos have helped repair over 100 million vehicles.
Enter Vehicle Year Make Model

Specify your vehicle's year, make and model to guarantee fit.

How To Replace Rear Inside Door Handle 2000-04 Subaru Outback

Created on: 2012-08-20

How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a broken or snapped off interior door handleon 00, 01, 02, 03, and 04 Subaru Outback models.

  1. step 1 :Removing the Door Panel
    • Pry up the switch panel with a flat blade screwdriver
    • Disconnect the window switch wiring harness
    • Pry off the door handle bezel
    • Pry off the trim on the door pull
    • Remove the two Phillips screws from the door pull
    • Pry out the door panel
    • Lift the door panel up and off
  2. step 2 :Removing the Inside Door Handle
    • Pry off the trim piece inside the door handle
    • Remove the Phillips screw from the door handle
    • Slide the door handle back and out
    • Disconnect the door lock rod and the door handle rod from its clips
  3. step 3 :Installing the New Inside Door Handle
    • Connect the door lock rod and the door handle rod to its clips
    • Slide the door handle forward
    • Tighten the Phillips screw to the door handle
    • Push on the trim piece inside the door handle
  4. step 4 :Reinstalling the Door Panel
    • Lift the door panel into place
    • Push in the door panel clips
    • Tighten the two Phillips screws to the door pull
    • Push on the trim button to the door pull
    • Push on the door handle bezel
    • Connect the window switch wiring harness
    • Push in the switch panel

Tools needed

  • Flat Blade Screwdriver

    Phillips Head Screwdriver

Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet.

Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.

In this video, we show you how to replace a rear inside door handle on this 2003 Subaru Outback. It's pretty much the same for any 2000 to 2004 and is a pretty easy procedure. Only tools you'll need are a flat blade and a Phillips screwdriver.

Start here carefully and, if you want, use a rag so you don't affect your vinyl. Pry out firmly at the top, and then pry up and out at the bottom as well. You're really trying to pull up this way. And then there's a little tab back here. Disconnect that. Take and pry off this bezel around your inside door handle. Little button here. Pry that out. There's a Phillips screw here and a Phillips screw here. Remove those. Once you remove those, then kind of reach in behind the panel and pull firmly. Push that through, then lift up and your panel comes off. That little ring you heard, this is just the clip from the window switch. It fell off. You just want to push it on there before you try and put that back together.

To remove your rear inside door handle, there's a little kind of trap door here. Use your fingernail or a flat blade screwdriver to pry that little door out then pull it out. There's a Phillips screw behind there. Remove that. Now slide the handle back and pull it out. Then kind of twist the handle this way, pull up on this rod, and it comes out. Then twist the handle back this way, pull up on that rod, and it comes out.

Reinstallation is just the reverse. Put this rod in. You kind of look right down through there and you can see that rod go in. Then go that way. Same thing here. Push this rod in, and you can look right down through a square hole here. See the rod go in and then make it nice and straight. Just make sure everything's pulling the rods the right way. Put the handle back on, slide it forward, put our screw back in, and replace this little trap door.

Put this back on. Take your harness, and make sure it goes through there. You kind of line it up by looking at the inside door handle. Make sure that the top latch is down. There are two screws that hold the panel in place. Fast-forward here as I just install those two screws. Okay. Bring this out and connect this harness. Put it down in place. Put this bezel back on and put this back in place.

We hope this video helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.


recommended video

How to Replace Interior Door Handle 2002-08 Dodge Ram

New Interior Door Handle from 1AAuto.com How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a broken or snapped off interior door handle on 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 Dodge Ram

Share on:
Go To Top

Same Day Shipping

Need your part faster? Choose expedited shipping at checkout.

Guaranteed To Fit

Highest quality, direct fit replacement auto parts enforced to the strictest product standards.

USA Customer Support

Exceeding customers' expectations, our team of passionate auto enthusiasts are here to help.

Instructional Video Library

Thousands of how-to auto repair videos to guide you step-by-step through your repair.