Exterior door handle for my 2003 x5 is not opening the door d to remove the panel from inside I have removed 3 Philips screws something is still holding the panel at the top left corner near the area where air bag sign is . am I missing a screw or something to do with air bag assembly by the door panel

for passenger side:
1. unclip screw cover 'center flap' of inside door opener plastic cover, flap is 3/8"x 3/8" (center of plastic cover)
2. remove phillips screw now showing
3. push fabric panel (edge of door opener plastic cover-at hinged end of chrome handle) to allow uncliping of edge of plastic cover (top rt & lwr rt (for passenger side) of plastic cover)
4. open chrome inside door handle to allow plastic cover to be removed-slide plastic cover toward rear, free end of door to remove cover
5. remove switch panel-gently pry with wide non maring pry bar (cover wide blade screwdriver using cloth) do rear of sw panel 1st (don't pry front edge)
6. slide switch panel toward rear to allow removal
7. remove large phillips screw under sw panel
8. remove the 2 plastic covers near top, hinge edge -use plastic spoon handles to encourage caps to pop off. May also require small screwdriver approx 1/8" in to complete pop off
9. remove the 2 phillips screws w/ captive washers
10. remove 3 phillips/hex screws along the bottom inside of door panel
11. on outside/rear edge of panel push the 2 center pins of each in about 1/8"-this allows the clip to be pulled out w/ pin pushed in
12. remove plastic cover (REAR OF SIDE MIRROR)-pull window edge up and back.
13. lift rear of door panel (not hinge edge) up allow hinge edge to pivot around lower pin in door (hinge edge)
14. remove the 2 rt edge "L" brackets (gently pry center plastic pin out) (note the color and replace as removed)
15. slowly peel the clear plastc away from the non hinged end to expose the plastic panel with 3 phillips head screws
16. remove the 3 screws and panel for access to door handle.
17. using access area now available unlatch the rod attached to exterior door handle (unclip plastic to rotate clip up to allow rod to slide out-toward hinged edge)
18. using access area now available remove rod from ext door handle from inside door area
19. remove the 3 -10mm head bolts
20. remove the ext door handle (bottom edge out first)
reverse order to replace door handle

You will have to remove the door panel. To do this use a phillips screwdriver and remove the two screws under the inside door handle. Then lift and remove the section. Remove another screw from the interior lower left corner. Pry the window crank apart "if exists" then use a T20 torq bit to remove the screw in handle. Remove the panel by lifting and pulling at same time. With window in up position you can see inside the hole a rod going from the door handle to a bracket with a Yellow clip. Slide the clip to the open position and pull the rod out of the clip. From the outside of door under the handle there are two rivets. Use a punch and knock out the center of each rivet. Then use a 1/4" drill bit and drill out the rivet. A flat tip screwdriver will be used to knock off the rest of the rivet. You will need two flat head screws and lock nuts or to reinstall the handle. Lift out old handle with attached rod. Twist rod as you pull to remove it and install it into the new handle. Place the rod through the hole and look inside to be sure is will move to the location of the yellow clip.Install the screws from the outside and the nuts from the inside and tighten. From inside connect the rod to the yellow clip. Lift on the rod while closing the clip. Then test door handle. If it doesn't work properly the rod was not lifted or pulled outward enough. Redo that step until you get it right. Reinstall inner panel as removed.

stop by your local auto parts store and ask for a trim removal tool. they will hook you up with the right stuff. Start by removing all the screws you see in the door panel, such as those holding the arm rest in place. taking the trim tool, feel around the outer edge of the door panel for the clips that hold it in place. when you find one, put the tool around it and pry outward until the clip comes out of the door. do this until you have the panel free.

Once the panel is off, you will be looking for a loose rod sitting inside the door that will need to be reconnected to the handle.

Good luck.

There are a serires of rids that connectot the interior and exterior handles to the latch assembly on the door. The rod that connects the inside handle to the latch has come off. You will have to remove the door panel to inspect the rods.

Remove front door handle bezel screw cover Remove inside handle bezel screw Remove inside handle bezel Lift upward on the rear of the front door inside handle bezel Disconnect electrical connector Remove handle screw cover
Remove handle screw Remove door trim panel upper screw Remove door trim panel lower screw Remove door trim panel (pull the door trim panel outward to release the pin-type retainers)Remove front door sail panel
Disconnect mirror electrical connector Remove 3 exterior mirror nuts and exterior mirror

The control panels are often held in place by either spring tensioners or some built into the plastic frame of the panel and can be pried up and out. They pretty much depend on gravity to keep it in place.
Once free of the panel, turning it may allow it to be passed through the hole in which it normally resides.
I would try first to pry with an old credit or bank card before resorting to metal tools.

It sounds like the handle may be broken, or the linkage may be broken or disconnected

On the inside trim, you can remove screws (these screws may be covered by filler pieces or may be visible, or they may require you pry a plastic piece off that covers the screws) that are by the door handle, arm rest, under door and side of door and then gently pull back on the panel as there will also be retaining clips attached and you don't want to break them. You'll need to lift the door panel upwards in order to get it off the window ledge. Then you'll need to manipulate the panel and disconnect the door handle linkage from the door handle and disconnect the wiring for your controls. Pull back the weather seal and then you can gain access to the exterior handle

There are plastic clips that hold the rods in place - one for the rod that goes to the exterior handle and another that goes to the exterior lock. You need to snap the plastic clips around so they release and then the rods will pull right out.

You need to remove the inside door panel to see if the exterior handle broke or if the linkage fell off

Exterior Mirror Removal and Installation
All vehicles

1. NOTE: Left side exterior mirror shown, right side similar.
   Remove the interior door trim panel. For additional information, refer to Section 501-05 .

Front Door Trim Panel Removal and Installation

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Section 414-01 .

1. Remove the inside door handle bezel from the trim panel.

1. Remove the window switch assembly.

1. Disconnect the window switch and power door lock electrical connectors.

1. Remove the upper trim panel screw at the window switch opening.

1. Remove the lower trim panel screws.

1. CAUTION: To avoid damage to the door trim panel, do not pull directly outward for this step.
   Lift the door trim panel by pulling directly upward on the armrest to disengage the panel clips.

1. Disconnect the power mirror electrical connector.

1. Remove the trim panel.

1. Remove the weather shield.

Vehicles with power, heated or approach lamp equipped exterior mirrors

1. Disconnect the electrical connector.

All vehicles

1. Remove the bolts.

1. Remove the exterior rear view mirror (17682).