This is what worked for me. I have a 2012 Silverado. Front driver side door broke on the outside, and the interior handle would not open the door. First I used a coping saw to carefully cut the broken handle free. Second, I used a dremel tool with a cut off wheel to cut the exterior portion of the handle around the area where the rod inserts to gain access (use a barrier to protect your paint). Third, I used a screwdriver to pry the cut piece out. I was then able to reach in and grab the opening rod. I pushed it down, and I was able to open the door. Obtain your new handle prior to better conceptualize where to cut. This took me about 2 working hours to complete the job, door reassembled, and fully functional. I'm an amateur.

 

Thanks, this helped me. I was going to try to do the same thing on my 2012 Chevy Avalanche drivers side door. The outside handle broke. The inside still worked for a couple days but then it stopped working. I broke off the outside handle and I could see the rod through the square opening. I was trying to hook the rod and pull it closer to the opening so I could possibly grab it with a needlenose pliers. I thought I might be able to do what you did without cutting a bigger hole. I was having trouble doing it throught the little hole and I wanted to see what moved when the inside handle was pulled. So I had my wife pull the inside handle when I was pulling the rod closer to the hole opening. When the inside handle was pulled, a miracle happended. The door opened! I was very amazed and happy. I did not try to figure out why moving the rod closer to the handle (where it is supposed to be when connected to a functioning handle) caused the inside handle to start working again. It was getting dark and I knew I needed to change the handle at that moment because I could not shut the door. I hope this might help someone else stuck in this situation.