Door module with outside door handle

A vehicle door includes inner and outer panels defining a cavity therebetween. The outer panel has an opening therein for receiving a door latch operating handle. An outside door handle assembly includes a housing and an operating handle movably mounted on the housing. A door module frame for mounting within the door cavity has a door handle support arm extending into proximity with the opening of the door outer panel. A snap retainer is provided acting between the housing of the outside handle assembly and the support arm of the module frame to loosely mount the handle assembly on the module frame so that mounting of the module frame within the door cavity carries the operating handle of the door handle assembly into general alignment with the opening of the door outer panel. An escutcheon is provided for installation onto the outside of the outer panel to surround the opening in the outer panel. A plurality of fasteners are installed through the door handle housing, through apertures provided in the outer panel, and into the escutcheon so that the escutcheon and door handle assembly are attached together with the door outer panel captured therebetween.