| **Condensed Consolidating Guarantor and Non-Guarantor (Tables)**           | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Condensed Consolidating Guarantor and Non-Guarnator [Abstract]**         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Schedule of Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]                  | (in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Year Ended October 31, 2011         Sales and revenues, net$— $8,319 $13,202 $(7,563) $13,958Costs of products sold— 7,775 10,974 (7,487) 11,262Restructuring charges— 33 59 — 92Impairment of property and equipment and intangible assets— — 64 — 64All other operating expenses79 1,263 902 (95) 2,149Total costs and expenses79 9,071 11,999 (7,582) 13,567Equity in income (loss) of affiliates1,759 462 (37) (2,255) (71)Income (loss) before income taxes1,680 (290) 1,166 (2,236) 320Income tax benefit (expense)43 1,937 (511) (11) 1,458Net income1,723 1,647 655 (2,247) 1,778Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests— — 55 — 55Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation$1,723 $1,647 $600 $(2,247) $1,723(in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Year Ended October 31, 2010         Sales and revenues, net$— $6,751 $11,278 $(5,884) $12,145Costs of products sold(1) 6,303 9,245 (5,806) 9,741Restructuring benefits— (13) (2) — (15)All other operating expenses (income)61 1,349 763 (94) 2,079Total costs and expenses60 7,639 10,006 (5,900) 11,805Equity in income (loss) of affiliates283 895 (17) (1,211) (50)Income (loss) before income taxes223 7 1,255 (1,195) 290Income tax benefit (expense)— 55 (78) — (23)Net income223 62 1,177 (1,195) 267Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest— — 44 — 44Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation$223 $62 $1,133 $(1,195) $223(in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the year Ended October 31, 2012         Sales and revenues, net$— $7,924 $11,666 $(6,642) $12,948Costs of products sold— 8,188 10,067 (6,585) 11,670Restructuring charges— 86 22 — 108Impairment of property and equipment and intangible assets— 2 42 — 44All other operating expenses (income)(249) 1,297 994 237 2,279Total costs and expenses(249) 9,573 11,125 (6,348) 14,101Equity in income (loss) of affiliates(3,258) 536 (34) 2,727 (29)Income (loss) before income taxes(3,009) (1,113) 507 2,433 (1,182)Income tax benefit (expense)(1) (1,987) 209 (1) (1,780)Net income (loss)(3,010) (3,100) 716 2,432 (2,962)Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests— — 48 — 48Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation$(3,010) $(3,100) $668 $2,432 $(3,010)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Schedule of Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] | (in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year Ended October 31, 2012         Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation$(3,010) $(3,100) $668 $2,432 $(3,010)Other comprehensive income (loss):         Foreign currency translation adjustment(125) — (125) 125 (125)Defined benefit plans (net of tax of $14, $0, $14, $(14), and $14, respectively)(256) (225) (31) 256 (256)Total other comprehensive income (loss)(381) (225) (156) 381 (381)Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation$(3,391) $(3,325) $512 $2,813 $(3,391)(in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended October 31, 2011         Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation$1,723 $1,647 $600 $(2,247) $1,723Other comprehensive income (loss):         Foreign currency translation adjustment(19) — (11) 11 (19)Defined benefit plans (net of tax of $430, $421, $9, $(430), and $430, respectively)(729) (725) (4) 729 (729)Total other comprehensive loss(748) (725) (15) 740 (748)Total comprehensive income attributable to Navistar International Corporation$975 $922 $585 $(1,507) $975(in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended October 31, 2010         Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation$223 $62 $1,133 $(1,195) $223Other comprehensive income (loss):         Foreign currency translation adjustment22 — 22 (22) 22Defined benefit plans (net of tax of $0, $0, $0 $0, and $0, respectively)472 511 (39) (472) 472Total other comprehensive income (loss)494 511 (17) (494) 494Total comprehensive income attributable to Navistar International Corporation$717 $573 $1,116 $(1,689) $717                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]                     | (in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2011         Assets         Cash and cash equivalents$226 $13 $300 $— $539Marketable securities429 1 288 — 718Restricted cash20 9 298 — 327Finance and other receivables, net3 154 4,070 27 4,254Inventories— 650 1,113 (49) 1,714Investments in non-consolidated affiliates(2,094) 5,818 54 (3,718) 60Property and equipment, net— 600 972 (2) 1,570Goodwill— — 319 — 319Deferred taxes, net31 1,912 114 — 2,057Other168 152 416 (3) 733Total assets$(1,217) $9,309 $7,944 $(3,745) $12,291Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)         Debt$1,689 $156 $3,242 $(231) $4,856Postretirement benefits liabilities— 2,981 335 — 3,316Amounts due to (from) affiliates(5,574) 9,055 (3,595) 114 —Other liabilities2,690 (194) 1,717 (122) 4,091Total liabilities(1,195) 11,998 1,699 (239) 12,263Redeemable equity securities5 — — — 5Stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to non-controlling interest— — 52 (2) 50Stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to Navistar International Corporation(27) (2,689) 6,193 (3,504) (27)Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)$(1,217) $9,309 $7,944 $(3,745) $12,291(in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2012         Assets         Cash and cash equivalents$702 $55 $330 $— $1,087Marketable securities314 — 152 — 466Restricted cash24 8 129 — 161Finance and other receivables, net5 128 2,859 — 2,992Inventories— 691 885 (39) 1,537Investments in non-consolidated affiliates(5,616) 6,454 54 (830) 62Property and equipment, net— 790 874 (4) 1,660Goodwill— — 280 — 280Deferred taxes, net9 11 243 — 263Other83 177 335 (1) 594Total assets$(4,479) $8,314 $6,141 $(874) $9,102Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)         Debt$1,617 $1,162 $1,997 $(5) $4,771Postretirement benefits liabilities— 3,144 367 — 3,511Amounts due to (from) affiliates(5,863) 9,522 (3,743) 84 —Other liabilities3,072 337 748 (77) 4,080Total liabilities(1,174) 14,165 (631) 2 12,362Redeemable equity securities5 — — — 5Stockholders’ equity attributable to non-controlling interests— — 45 — 45Stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to Navistar International Corporation(3,310) (5,851) 6,727 (876) (3,310)Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)$(4,479) $8,314 $6,141 $(874) $9,102                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]               | (in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended October 31, 2011         Net cash provided by (used in) operations$(44) $(66) $556 $434 $880Cash flows from investment activities         Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents— — (147) — (147)Net purchases in marketable securities(55) — (77) — (132)Capital expenditures and purchase of equipment leased to others— (264) (236) — (500)Other investing activities— (12) (32) — (44)Net cash used in investment activities(55) (276) (492) — (823)Cash flows from financing activities         Net borrowings (repayments) of debt91 333 48 (434) 38Other financing activities(5) — (133) — (138)Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities86 333 (85) (434) (100)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents— — (3) — (3)Decrease in cash and cash equivalents(13) (9) (24) — (46)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year239 22 324 — 585Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year$226 $13 $300 $— $539(in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended October 31, 2012         Net cash provided by (used in) operations$350 $(183) $901 $(458) $610Cash flows from investment activities         Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents(4) 1 168 — 165Net sales of marketable securities115 — 137 — 252Capital expenditures and purchase of equipment leased to others— (213) (157) — (370)Other investing activities— (157) 108 — (49)Net cash provided by (used in) investment activities111 (369) 256 — (2)Cash flows from financing activities         Net borrowings (repayments) of debt171 594 (1,245) 549 69Other financing activities(156) — 115 (91) (132)Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities15 594 (1,130) 458 (63)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents— — 3 — 3Increase in cash and cash equivalents476 42 30 — 548Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year226 13 300 — 539Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year$702 $55 $330 $— $1,087(in millions)NIC Navistar,Inc. Non-GuarantorSubsidiaries Eliminationsand Other ConsolidatedCondensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended October 31, 2010         Net cash provided by (used in) operations$(174) $(421) $1,041 $661 $1,107Cash flows from investment activities         Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents— — 515 — 515Net purchases in marketable securities(374) — (212) — (586)Capital expenditures and purchase of equipment leased to others— (107) (172) — (279)Other investing activities(20) (84) (13) 33 (84)Net cash provided by (used in) investment activities(394) (191) 118 33 (434)Cash flows from financing activities         Net borrowings (repayments) of debt(20) 598 (1,195) (661) (1,278)Other financing activities35 — (24) (33) (22)Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities15 598 (1,219) (694) (1,300)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents— — — — —Decrease in cash and cash equivalents(553) (14) (60) — (627)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year792 36 384 — 1,212Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year$239 $22 $324 $— $585 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**nav_CondensedConsolidatingGuarantorAndNonGuarnatorAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**nav_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Schedule of Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**nav_ScheduleOfCondensedStatementOfComprehensiveIncomeTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**nav_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of a condensed balance sheet. Disclosure may include, but is not limited to, balance sheets of consolidated entities and consolidation eliminations.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheetTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of a condensed cash flow statement. Disclosure may include, but is not limited to, cash flow statements of consolidated entities and consolidation eliminations.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ScheduleOfCondensedCashFlowStatementTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of a condensed income statement. Disclosure may include, but is not limited to, income statements of consolidated entities and consolidation eliminations.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ScheduleOfCondensedIncomeStatementTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |