We just had a similar issue here.
On the MacBook Pro, we needed a new user to log in. Existing MBP users were fine, new users no chance, although administrator accounts were OK. OSX 10.7.4, same issue with 10.7.5.
Clues were found elsewhere on this site (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4140320?start=0&tstart=0), but what we did to fix it was this:-
Ensure the Mac will create a local folder for new user accounts (top tick-box)
In AD, turn off the Z: drive mapping to the home folder (or whatever drive you use) for that particular user
On the Mac, log in and let it create the local home folder
In AD, turn the drive mapping back on and respecify the home folder path
The account should now continue to work as it's already created the local home folder.
Admin accounts worked because we don't map the home folder for those. Originally we were mapping using a logon script, which is why we didn't have an issue when setting up the other users initially. What probably doesn't help is that we use DFS, and the Macs don't like talking to DFS (we have to map to the \\servername\share instead of \\domainname\dfs-share for those).
Hope this helps. Many thanks to user "Think Touch" for providing the clues.
