NHTSA Complaint #11557649 — 2010 HONDA CR-V

My CRV's door lock has been broken on and off for years now. I assumed it was a problem with the battery in the key or the key itself. I really became a problem a few months ago when the door would not open even with the key inserted into the lock. I would have to use the automatic lock and unlock buttons several times and then insert and turn the key before it would open. I did not know if or when the lock would fail permanently and I would be locked out of my car. This is a safety issue because I could have been stranded outside alone, or worse, stranded on the road with my infant. I understand that Honda settled a class action lawsuit for this known problem. (Kevin Davitt, et al. v. America Honda Motor Co., Inc., et al., Case No. XXX, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.) I never received notice that there was a recall for this door actuator problem or that I was eligible to be a part of the class action. I contacted Honda and they insisted that I get a diagnostic though their dealership. They said I might be eligible for some sort of "good will" refund. I paid for the diagnostic and the repair, which was over $400. The service center at the dealer even said it was a known problem and that I should get something. Honda called me to deny the claim because they said I was out of warranty. They knew I was out of warranty when I contacted them in the first place. I would have gone to a local repair shop if I had known that they were using this as a ruse to get repair costs from me. The problem is that they knew that people were getting locked out of their cars and they didn't tell anyone. They knew that I was potentially part of the class of people who could have gotten relief but they didn't contact me. I don't think that they should leave people stranded out on the road or struggling with their door locks in this day and age when people get robbed or attacked a shopping centers and gas stations. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)