I had a similiar problem where my door handle would not open from outside.It felt loose likie it wasn't catching anything.I have a couple pics on here somewhere of what the inside door handle looks like.
And there is a spring catch where the door handle catches onto and that spring mechanism was dried up and stuck.So i sprayed it with dry lube and lock ease.They have graphite in them that doesn't attract dirt and doesn't leave oily residue.
After doing this few times,especially in colder months,I finally figured out an easier solution rather than taking door panels off to oil them down.
I stuck the straw to the dry lube in the crease where handle goes into door and sprayed away.Then i pulled the door andle lightly really quick until i felt it get looser and grab then door opened.
Nothing was broken inside,and from what i could see it looks like u would have to get whole new handle but i not real sure.If anyone wants i can search for those pics of inside of door handle and what i talking about with that spring and catch lever from door handle that was my problem..
PITA getting drivers side door panel off when door wont open,there is a screw on inside edge u can get at when door closed.So i glad i found that spraying dry lube from outside worked for me..PHEW..Spent hours on all my door handles..Poor design,cold really effects them..