Check the owner’s manual, in case there’s an extra step involved.

 

Good thought. The lever for the driver side worked smoothly so it definitl set an expectation for the passenger side. Maybe it was the oddball.

I'll also open that access panel and see if I can spot anything with the connection to that lever.

 

As it turns out, the hard plastic trim surrounding the lever wasnt seated properly. Once it was seated, the whole thing works smooth as butter.

 

Great news!