An elevator door assembly (20) includes a positioner (30) for controlling an orientation of an elevator door panel (22) during movement between open and closed positions. The positioner (30) biases the door in a direction generally perpendicular to the desired direction of door movement. The disclosed example includes a first positioner member (32) that remains in a fixed position. A second positioner member (34) is supported for movement with the elevator door (22). In disclosed examples, at least one of the positioner members (32, 34) provides a magnetic field that results in the biasing force. In a disclosed example, opposing polarities on permanent magnets are arranged to provide a repulsive force between the positioner members (32, 34), which provides the biasing force on the elevator door.