Many years ago, exterior side view mirrors on vehicles were an extra cost option, and it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that side view mirrors became standard equipment on most cars and trucks. As of 2010, a majority of new vehicles sold have side view mirrors on both sides of the vehicle. Although most automotive mirrors have a breakaway feature and will fold inwards, a sharp impact could damage your mirror beyond repair, necessitating its replacement.
Open the passenger door and lower the window completely. Remove the triangular upper trim panel (which is located at the front corner where the side window meets the lower door trim panel) by prying it off carefully with a flat-blade screwdriver.
Remove the red reflector lens on the lower part of the door panel by prying it off with a flat-blade screwdriver. Pry up on the forward edge of the power accessory panel on the door trim panel with a flat-blade screwdriver. Lift the control panel upwards and pull the wiring connectors straight off the bottom of the panel. Remove the door trim panel holding screws revealed after removing the reflector and the control panel, using a nut driver.
Lift the door trim panel straight upwards, then away from the door. Unplug the wiring harness from the rear view mirror by reaching in the access holes in the door after removing the door trim panel. (Note: You may need to remove the door speaker to gain access to the mirror wiring. Remove the speaker retaining screws and pull the speaker from the door, if necessary.)
Remove the rubber plugs that cover the side mirror retaining bolts by prying them up with a flat-blade screwdriver. Remove the mirror retaining bolts with a socket and ratchet. Pull the mirror carefully away from the outside of the door, making sure the wiring harness does not get caught on any obstructions on its way out. Make a note of which hole the mirror wiring goes through on the door to make installation of the new mirror easier.
Hold the new mirror close to its mounting holes on the outside of the door while fishing the wiring harness into the hole. Push the mirror up flush against the door. Tighten the mirror retaining nuts in a clockwise direction with a socket and ratchet. Push the rubber plugs back into place until they are fully seated.
Plug the mirror wiring harness back together inside the door. Reinstall the speaker, if necessary. Place the door trim panel back into position and tighten the retaining screws with a nut driver. Plug the wiring connections back into the base of the control panel and push it back into the cavity on the door trim panel until it snaps into place.
Push the reflector and the triangular trim panel back into position until they snap into place.
