So I've had this problem for a couple years on my 1998 4-door V6 accord - the door handles for the front passenger and both rear passengers will open the door correctly, but after you pull the handle out it won't retract. I have to tell passengers to push it back in before closing the door...pretty annoying.

After looking at some pictures, I'm guessing it's something to do with the spring (1998-2002 Honda Accord Door Handle – Replacement H491316 - Rear, Driver Side, Exterior, Black, Plastic, OE replacement). Perhaps the plastic that holds the spring down has broken off. I was hoping to be able to fix them without buying a new door handle (don't want to paint and all that). Anyone with experience in door handles? The car just passed 230k, so they've gotten quite a bit of wear.

 

I haven't heard of this problem on Accords, but have heard of the same problem on Acura TL's w/ similar door handle. The problem arises when the plastic lug w/ small hole for the spring arm to react against breaks off. This reduces the available spring return force and door handle will not fully close. The fix was to drill a very small diameter hole in the plastic body and anchor the spring lever arm under a screw carefully threaded into the drilled hole.

Check Acurazine TL forums for details of the repair.

good luck