A door assembly for a vehicle comprises a vehicle door having an outside door panel, and a handle that is moveably mounted to the vehicle door. A latch actuator is operatively connected to the handle. Movement of the handle moves the latch actuator to an open position to allow opening of the door. An internal door part is connected to the outside door panel. The internal door part includes a contact area internally offset from the outside door panel. A counterbalancing member is cooperatively associated with the handle. During a crash condition causing deformation of the door and intrusion of the handle, the counterbalancing member engages the contact area of the internal door part to prevent the handle from moving the latch actuator to the open position.