Just wanted to post a warning in case someone else has the problem and doesn't know it. I have found that the door stop for the front driver's side door (not the hinges, but the black sprung bar that prevents the door from opening too far) was loose where it attaches to the car body.

I had been hearing a strange sound when opening my door for a month or so now, but couldn't identify it. When I was washing the car today, I noticed that is must have gotten loose enough to identify visually. I tightened it back up (19+-5 ft*lbs per the service manual), and it appears to be operating normally again.

I don't typically open my doors very far (afraid of causing door dings). While there is a chance the door go thrown open and bounced against the stop (loosening it), I can't remember such an event occurring so I thought I'd give everyone a heads up.

The last thing you want is this thing to give way and allow the door to open too far and ruin your sheetmetal. If you hear any strange noises, pull out your torque wrenches!

 

Good thing you caught that before some damage occurred. Thanks for the heads up!

 

Mine did the same thing. On the same door.. I couldn't really figure out what the noise was then I found my 'check strap' jiggling when I opened the door. I tightened the 10mm bolt and problem solved. It made me wonder if my car had been worked on seeing as I bought it used with 10k miles but everything checks out ok. Interesting that someone else had the same issue.