A vehicle door latch assembly comprising: a ratchet gear movable between a closed position in which a striker is capturable thereby and an open position in which the striker is releasable thereby, the ratchet gear being biased to the open position; a primary pawl movable between a secured position, in which the primary pawl locates the ratchet gear in the closed position, and an unsecured position, in which the primary pawl is positioned to permit the ratchet gear to move to the open position thereof; a primary lever to which the primary pawl is connected, the primary lever being movable between a first position, in which the primary lever holds the primary pawl in the secured position thereof, and a second position, in which the primary lever locates the primary pawl in the unsecured position thereof, the primary lever being biased to the second position; an auxiliary pawl movable between an engaged position, in which the auxiliary pawl holds the primary lever in the first position thereof, and a disengaged position, in which the auxiliary pawl is disengaged from the primary lever to permit the primary lever to move to the second position thereof, the auxiliary pawl 140) being biased to the engaged position; an electrical motor operatively connected to the ratchet gear, the primary pawl, the primary lever, and the auxiliary pawl for release and reset thereof; an auxiliary lever movable to a reset position, in which the auxiliary lever urges the primary lever to the first position thereof, and to an inactive position, in which the auxiliary lever permits the primary lever to move to the second position thereof; and a key lever, for mechanically transmitting rotation from a key cylinder for moving the key lever to a first active position, in which the key lever urges the auxiliary pawl to the disengaged position thereof, and to a second active position, in which the key lever urges the auxiliary lever to the reset position thereof. a ratchet gear movable between a closed position in which a striker is capturable thereby and an open position in which the striker is releasable thereby, the ratchet gear being biased to the open position; a primary pawl movable between a secured position, in which the primary pawl locates the ratchet gear in the closed position, and an unsecured position, in which the primary pawl is positioned to permit the ratchet gear to move to the open position thereof; a primary lever to which the primary pawl is connected, the primary lever being movable between a first position, in which the primary lever holds the primary pawl in the secured position thereof, and a second position, in which the primary lever locates the primary pawl in the unsecured position thereof, the primary lever being biased to the second position; an auxiliary pawl movable between an engaged position, in which the auxiliary pawl holds the primary lever in the first position thereof, and a disengaged position, in which the auxiliary pawl is disengaged from the primary lever to permit the primary lever to move to the second position thereof, the auxiliary pawl 140) being biased to the engaged position; an electrical motor operatively connected to the ratchet gear, the primary pawl, the primary lever, and the auxiliary pawl for release and reset thereof; an auxiliary lever movable to a reset position, in which the auxiliary lever urges the primary lever to the first position thereof, and to an inactive position, in which the auxiliary lever permits the primary lever to move to the second position thereof; and a key lever, for mechanically transmitting rotation from a key cylinder for moving the key lever to a first active position, in which the key lever urges the auxiliary pawl to the disengaged position thereof, and to a second active position, in which the key lever urges the auxiliary lever to the reset position thereof.