I have an 04' tl and the passenger side rear door handle is missing the cap. Part cost is $15.00 dealer wanted $135 for labor to install since they would have to remove the door panel.

Anyone have a solution ?

 

If this is what I think it is....
Check you VIN against this. Perhaps the cost to you should be $0 and your dealer needs a beating about the head and shoulders. If this isn't it then my apologies to your dealer.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B07-043.PDF
Note the part that says "Out of warranty: Any repair performed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work."

You might also want to look up the "shaved door lock" mod. Basically the little plastic cap (extension) can be snapped onto the metal piece (base) already in the door. Unless there is something wrong with the base there is no need to replace it.

 

Well, you could tell the dealer it's a known issue and has a TSB and see if they will good will it for you. Your car is in the VIN range for the TSB:

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B07-043.PDF


OR

You could buy the $15 part, skip the base (the part on the inside of the door liner) and just put the cap on. In most cases you'd be fine. Even if you're not, you save $135 which will buy a lot of caps.

OR

You could buy the $15 part do it yourself. Supposedly, it's not hard to remove/replace the door liner (I've never done it, so ). Here are Door Panel removal instructions:

F-016: DIY: Front/rear door panel/handles/wstrip/glass/window regulator removal
https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/my-car-super-street-143797/
https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/trance-list-93985/

 

are you talking about the inside of the door? If so The door panel is very easy to take apart, I have an 04 TL as well and I can do it by myself in about 5 mins.