Broken (kind of) door handle - Driver's Side door

The first thing to break on the "tour bus" other than when I was wrecked, has happened. The driver's side door handle has broken...kind of.. If the car locked and I use the remote to unlock it, 90% of the time, I cannot open my door. If I use the KEY to unlock the door, I can always open it. The handle is definitely loose..still attached but not flopping around or dangling. Has this ever happened to anyone and hw easy is it to take the door card off to look at the locking mechanism?

Sounbwoy said:

The first thing to break on the "tour bus" other than when I was wrecked, has happened. The driver's side door handle has broken...kind of.. If the car locked and I use the remote to unlock it, 90% of the time, I cannot open my door. If I use the KEY to unlock the door, I can always open it. The handle is definitely loose..still attached but not flopping around or dangling. Has this ever happened to anyone and hw easy is it to take the door card off to look at the locking mechanism?
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The door card is not hard to remove if you have the right tools (trim removal levers). You will probably break some door panel clips, so I'd have some spare on hand to replace - you can buy the mazda ones (expensive) or get the generic ones off Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)) or Ebay.

There is a write up on rear door handle replacement which may prove useful. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123844908-HELP!-Sliding-door-won-t-open-door-handle-fell-off

Thanks kw_da.. I really appreciate it.