| **Acquisition and disposals of business Acquisition and disposals of business (Pro Forma Information) (Details) (Blue Diamond Parts [Member], USD $)In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 12 Months Ended |
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| Blue Diamond Parts [Member]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |            |  |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |            |  |
| Sales and revenue, net                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | $ 11,702        | [1] |
| Income before extraordinary gain                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 295             | [1] |
| Net income                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 343             | [1] |
| Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 25              | [1] |
| Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | $ 318           | [1] |
| **Pro forma basic earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation:**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |            |  |
| Income attributable to Navistar International Corporation before extraordinary gain (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | $ 4.15          | [1] |
| Extraordinary gain, net of tax (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | $ 0.33          | [1] |
| Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | $ 4.48          | [1] |
| **Pro forma diluted earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation:**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |            |  |
| Income attributable to Navistar International Corporation before extraordinary gain (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | $ 4.11          | [1] |
| Extraordinary gain, net of tax (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | $ 0.32          | [1] |
| Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | $ 4.43          | [1] |
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| [1]Effective June 1, 2009, BDP changed its fiscal year from December 31 to October 31. Also effective June 1, 2009, BDP is accounted for as a consolidated subsidiary. The unaudited pro forma financial information for the year ended October 31, 2009, as presented above, reflects the change in fiscal year and is based on the historical unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations of BDP for the seven months ended May 31, 2009 (through the date of acquisition) and results of operations of BDP from June 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009 are included in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. |

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| - Definition
The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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| - Definition
The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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| - Definition
The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect per basic share of common stock for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, per diluted share of common stock for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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| - Definition
The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.
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