About the WhatsApp example: If we take in consideration that right above the text highlighted as difficult to understand there is “Message notification” becomes pretty easy to understand.

Furthermore, you give as an option/fix, group items, which is exactly what WhatsApp is doing. So, as far as I understood, I don’t think is a bad design or UX in this example.

About the car example: We have to consider technology restrictions, as to keep the remote control synced with the car to check if it’s locked would consume more battery, would required more technology (making it more expensive) and raise a lot more of other questions such as: what if the gadget does not know if it’s locked or not, what should it display?

A good solution is on Tesla Model S, which the door handlers slide in when locked. But we’re talking about a high-end car, not sure if it’s possible in popular cars.