A vehicle door assembly includes an outer handle assembly, a latch mechanism, a rod, and a contact surface. The outer handle assembly includes a moveable handle. The latch mechanism includes a latch for engaging a striker and an outer handle lever operably connected to the latch. The rod connects the outer handle assembly to the latch mechanism. The contact surface is associated with the vehicle door and is inwardly offset from the rod. The contact surface is positioned with respect to the rod such that inward lateral movement of the handle during an outer handle intrusion event results in the rod moving laterally inward and impacting the contact surface. Impact with the contact surface by the rod inhibits the rod from moving the outer handle lever in an unlatching direction.