Hyundai Repair: 2003 Elantra GT -remove interior door panel, interior door panel, latch assembly

Question
A deer ran right into my drivers door and put a pretty good dent in it.  I could live with the dent but now my exterior door handle will not open the door. (The interior door pull handle still works fine).  I guess I need to remove the door panel to access the latch mechanism and I might as well push out the dent while I'm there.  Can you tell me how to remove the panel and what I should look for with the latch mechanism so I know how to repair to replace the parts?  Thanks!

Answer
You'll first need to remove the screws holding the door panel in place:

-- One in the bezel for the interior handle.
-- One or two in the rear of the trim panel.  These may be underneath a small round plastic cover.
-- Two in the bottom of the door panel.
-- Two in the front of the door panel.  These may be underneath a small round plastic cover.
-- One or two in the center of the panel near the door pull.  These, too, may be under cover.

Remove the interior handle bezel.

Pry loose the triangular interior mirror cover.

Pull out on the bottom of the door panel to unclip from the door.  The panel will pivot where it attaches at the top.  Once loose, lift up and off the door, unplugging the connectors from the rear once you get it loose.

There should be two rods running from the exterior handle to the latch assembly.  It's possible a rod or attaching clip has been damaged or that the door handle itself has been broken.  Check to make sure both rods are securely in place and that they move when the door handle and lock cylinder are operated.