Weasel,

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately, I don't think that's the problem underlying my situation. The dealer ordered a slew of diffy parts at the same time and got most of them - we're just waiting for the last one. The service manager had a "conversation" with the parts manager about this situation yesterday, so hopefully there will be some resolution coming out of it. Or at least some information! What's most frustrating for me is not knowing at all when the part will come in.

The service writer I deal with there said that the parts manager has access to the computerized inventory info for the whole country, so if another dealer has the parts, he will know and will be able to get them, but that either has not happened or they are not out there anywhere. Of course, maybe their fancy-pantsy computerized inventory system is not as well-connected as it sounds, but there's not much I can do about that.

I think the true base issue is that Isuzu is barely functioning as a US car company, keepign their staffing and inventory to a minimum, regardless of how many Isuzu vehicles are on the road right now. That's why you can't get parts and you can't get a phone call returned.