Abstract: A door is comprised of an inner panel and an outer panel and a door trim panel is attached to the door inner panel and has an arm rest structure carried thereon. An arm rest support member has a lower end mounted on the vehicle door inner panel and an upper end spaced laterally inboard from the door panel and underlying the arm rest structure of the door trim panel. A collapsible tether such as a rope or cable acts between the upper end of the arm rest support member and the door inner panel. When the vehicle occupant pulls on the arm rest to close the door, the collapsible tether is tensioned and transmits the load from the arm rest structure to the door. When a force is imposed on the arm rest structure in the laterally outboard direction, the tether collapses to permit lateral movement of the arm rest structure in the outboard direction toward the door inner panel.