Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel that defines a door cavity, a latch mechanism and a reinforcing bracket. The latch mechanism has a latch lever that moves when the latch mechanism is operated to release the vehicle door from a closed orientation. The reinforcing bracket has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to a forward area of the inner door panel. The second end has an attachment portion, a lever capture portion and a tab portion. The attachment portion is attached to a rearward area of the inner door panel. The lever capture portion is outboard from the latch lever. The tab portion is adjacent to the lever capture portion. The reinforcing bracket is shaped and configured to deform in response to an impact event moving the lever capture portion inboard toward the latch lever interfering with movement thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel that defines a door cavity, a latch mechanism and a reinforcing bracket. The latch mechanism has a latch lever that moves when the latch mechanism is operated to release the vehicle door from a closed orientation. The reinforcing bracket has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to a forward area of the inner door panel. The second end has an attachment portion, a lever capture portion and a tab portion. The attachment portion is attached to a rearward area of the inner door panel. The lever capture portion is outboard from the latch lever. The tab portion is adjacent to the lever capture portion. The reinforcing bracket is shaped and configured to deform in response to an impact event moving the lever capture portion inboard toward the latch lever interfering with movement thereof.