| **Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)**                 | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
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| **Accounting Policies [Abstract]**                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Schedule intangibles amortization periods [Table Text Block]            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | The ranges for the amortization periods are generally as follows:  YearsCustomer base and relationships3 - 15Trademarks20Supply agreements3Other3 - 18                                             |
| Property plant and equipment, estimated useful lives [Table Text Block] |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | The ranges of estimated useful lives are as follows:  YearsBuildings20 - 50Leasehold improvements3 - 20Machinery and equipment3 - 12Furniture, fixtures, and equipment3 - 15Equipment leased to others1 - 10 |
| Accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue activity         | Accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue activity is as follows:  2011 2010  2009(in millions)     Balance, at beginning of year$506 $492 $602Costs accrued and revenues deferred407 269 217Acquisitions5 — —Adjustments to pre-existing warranties(A)79 51 114Payments and revenues recognized(399) (306) (366)Warranty adjustment related to legal settlement(B)— — (75)Balance, at end of year598 506 $492Less: Current portion263 252 246Noncurrent accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue$335 $254 $246_______________(A)Adjustments to pre-existing warranties reflect changes in our estimate of warranty costs for products sold in prior periods. Such adjustments typically occur when claims experience deviates from historic and expected trends. In the third quarter of 2011, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $30 million, or $0.39 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $27 million, or $0.34 per diluted share. In the third quarter of 2010, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $25 million, or $0.34 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2009, we recorded material adjustments for changes in estimates of $61 million or $0.86 per diluted share.(B)See Note 2, Restructurings and impairments, under Ford related restructuring activity for discussion regarding warranty adjustments related to the Ford Settlemen |                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

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| - Definition
Schedule intangibles amortization periods [Table Text Block]
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph b -Article 5Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the changes in the guarantor's aggregate product warranty liability, including the beginning balance of the aggregate product warranty liability, the aggregate reductions in that liability for payments made (in cash or in kind) under the warranty, the aggregate changes in the liability for accruals related to product warranties issued during the reporting period, the aggregate changes in the liability for accruals related to preexisting warranties (including adjustments related to changes in estimates), and the ending balance of the aggregate product warranty liability.
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