Resurrecting this thread because I just dealt with this issue a couple of days ago and didn't want to start a new one. My driver door wouldn't open, but the lock moved up and down. The latch assembly broke.
First, I was able to get my driver's door open without causing major damage. I broke a few clips on the door panel, but it's in one piece and I didn't have to cut a hole in it.
Here's what I did:
1. Removed both seats. You'll need the room to move around
2. Lower the window all the way
3. Unscrew the inside door lock knob
4. Start to pull back the door panel on top from the B pillar side (By door lock knob)
5. Use a long screwdriver or tool to push the top clip out from the inside.
6. Use a little strength to unsnap the door panel from the B pillar side
7. You should be able to angle the door panel up and out
8. There's a tiny plastic plug that will break toward the front and some of the forward clips.
9. Once the door panel is completely off, raise the window
10. Unplug the electrical switches and take a breather
11. Remove the dust cover *if you have one
12. I unscrewed the actuator (3 screws) and plastic cover (1 screw) but after I figured it out you don't need to. It helps to remove and disconnect the rods and actuator so you can see better, but move the inside door handle rod to see how it operates the latch assembly.
13. Take your pick and slide it between the metal slide and white plastic of the latch assembly.
14. Once you hook the latch assembly lever the door should open. See pics
15. There's a rod that connects to the door handle that I just unscrewed inside the door rather that removing the door handle.
This is my contribution to an F'd up problem.