[Phoenix1]

Auto-Locking should not be disabled for your safety in case somebody wants to get into your car to harm you or your child. It can be disabled by the dealership using the DRB III (they might not even charge you, it can be found under customer preference or something like that in case they don't know) or you can search the forum though nothing else did work for me.

With regard to the remote control, not sure how it is wired but you could ask a local alarm/stereo installer to look at it (again with some luck no charge) and they might be able to fix it for you. If you install a cheap alarm, you can further customize the lock/unlock features as well as add remote start for those cold mornings (it does not void any warranty).
I could not find any information regarding the programming of the unlock function but then again I have an older car and it might be a new feature (you should ask a dealership).

Now to the climate controls, is the switch in the front set for rear control (the older models only allow rear controls while the driver keeps it in "rear" mode, I am not sure how this is handled in newer cars).
You are not specific about what kind of problem you have, if you have digital controls, do they light up in the back or does it seem like there is a connection problem ? Did you check EACH fuse ?? Again, a nice dealership will look at it for free (courtesy inspection or ~$50 electronic diagnostic fee if you are out of luck), meaning they can run a diagnostic check and scan for diagnostic trouble codes. Since they would need the DRB for both the Auto-Lock and this scan they should not charge you twice.

Now the CD player, yes, you are correct, the controls are for an optional CD changer that is available.

The noise could be a suspension problem (bushings, bearings, linkage..etc)...These kind of problems are quite common and can be a pain. Not sure where you are located but here we have a wonderful Pep Boys that does superb work for a fraction of the cost you'd pay at a dealership but that might not be the case everywhere. Pep Boys and dealerships do provide some sort of additional inspection services if you let them change the oil for example which is cheap maintenance especially if you just bought the car, hope this helps...