Hyundai Repair: 2001 Hyundi Sonata - drivers door ., hyundi sonata, door latch

Question
goodevening ,
I own a great car and have for several years ,  2001 Hyundi Sonata . I can't open the drivers door  with the handels from  inside or outside. Key locks from the outside & the electric lock button on the driver's door works all doors including drivers door . I have to gain entry from the passenger door , like Dukes of Hazard trick ;  gettin to old for that stuff.
Anything I can do , yr help would be appreciated .
thanks :  brian  

Answer
Hi, Brian.  You'll probably need to replace the door latch.  Additionally, once you get the door open, you probably won't want to shut it until it's fixed, lest the same problem occur.  So you may wish to already have the replacement latch in your possession prior to opening the door.

Primarily, you'll need to see if you can access the door latch through the window opening.  Roll the window down and use a small penlight to shine into the door opening.  With a long screwdriver or similar device, try to find the lever on the latch that opens the door.  There may be a plastic cover over the latch, in which case you'll need to attempt to pry that off as well.  If  you're having trouble fitting the tool through the window opening, you can also try to pry the rear edge of the door trim panel up and off the window sill, but be very careful doing this as the trim panel is easily damaged.

Once you have the door opened, you should be able to remove the door trim panel to access the inside of the door and the latch.