Jim,

More than likely the pannel was damaged by shutting the door on the seatbelt. It is very easy to do, I see a lot of the pannels damaged this way. The only way to avoid this is when removing the seatbelt, you have to hold the buckle and guide it back towards the retractor. The removal of the door pannel is fairly easy. In the little recess by the handle is a cover, pry it off and remove the 25 torex, remove the little triangular cover by the mirror, (it pulls off), remove the plastic trim around the handle to open the door(this is a feat to do without breaking it), now down at the bottom of the door pannel pry a plastic pry tool between the pannel and the door enought to get a grip and jerk back about 2-3 inches, this should unsnap the several plastic clips holding the pannel to the door frame, now push up on the pannel to remove it from the inside molding by the window. I find it easier if the window is down. Holding the pannel as close to the door as you can, unplug the various connectors.