Guarantees and Product Warranty (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Related liability	$ 5	$ 5
Guarantor Obligations
Guarantees, maximum potential amount of future payments	1,575	1,609
SPC assets in consolidated statement	76,741	78,453
SPC liabilities in consolidated statement	61,747	63,824
Caterpillar dealer performance guarantees
Guarantor Obligations
Guarantees, maximum potential amount of future payments	1,139	1,150
Supplier consortium performance guarantees
Guarantor Obligations
Guarantees, maximum potential amount of future payments	257	238
Other guarantees
Guarantor Obligations
Guarantees, maximum potential amount of future payments	179	221
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Guarantor Obligations
SPC assets in consolidated statement	1,098	1,453
SPC liabilities in consolidated statement	$ 1,097	$ 1,452

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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The current carrying amount of the liability for the freestanding or embedded guarantor's obligations under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future.

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