Rear door lock doesn't move (or move enough) when activated from the driver's side controls.

Even if the door button is in the "up" position, it won't open from inside. In other words, it never opens from the inside.

If the door button is in the "up" position, you can however open it from outside by pulling the handle.

Is this symptomatic of an actuator problem? Can someone tell me how to fix this?

 

Open the door and look at it, I'd say. If the door lock doesn't seem to move very well when using the fob or similar, then I'd be inclined to say it's an actuator problem.

 

the lock button on the door barely moves at all. it moves a little and you can hear it trying, but no.

so, when it's in the upright open position, the door does not lock with the fob. when it's in the down position, it doesn't open with the fob.

if that means it's an actuator, how does one fix that?

 

ah, okay...

Door panel removal:
How to: REMOVE DOOR PANEL - AcuraZine Community

Actuator replacement:
Driver's front door lock actuator - AcuraZine Community