An energy absorbing vehicle door, comprising an inner panel, an outer panel joined to the inner panel, a door trim panel material on the inner panel, and an energy absorbing member mounted on the inner panel. The energy absorbing member has a first surface adjacent the outer member and a second surface adjacent the door trim panel. The energy absorbing member is mounted at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the vehicle occupant's lower leg to reduce dynamic motion between the occupant's femur and lower leg, thereby reducing said femur distal movement response during a vehicle said impact event.