A vehicle door assembly includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an inboard surface and an outboard surface. A door handle receiving area is disposed in the outer door panel and is configured to receive a door handle. The inner panel has an inboard surface and an outboard surface. The inner panel is connected to the outer panel. A first stiffener member is disposed beneath the door handle receiving area. A second stiffener member is disposed above the door handle receiving area.