answered my own question, well at least part of them....
The door is foam core. Not a high quality foam either, think cheap ice cooler foam..... or styrofoam cup foam.
So the side related issue is that since there is absolutely nothing structural for these locks and latches to tighten against, they will be forever working themselves loose at the foam fails under compression. Just WOW! Well at least they didn't use untreated wood or interior grade plywood like I was expecting. I guess I'm happy since I at least have something to work with.....