<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040730</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL MOTORS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181765</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STEPHENS THOMAS G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>777 JOSLYN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>MC 483 720 540</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PONTIAC</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48340-2925</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3515</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>17.25</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12621</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21621</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>954</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Phantom Stock Units $1-2/3 Par Value Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3757</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3757</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value Deferred Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>47722</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>47722</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>71.53</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-01-11</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-01-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20434</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20434</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>75.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-01-10</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-01-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>52.35</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-01-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-01-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>50.46</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-01-07</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-01-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>50.82</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-02-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-02-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>40.05</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-01-21</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-01-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>53.92</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-01-23</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.37</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-01-24</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-01-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.90</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-02-23</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-02-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>36000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.11</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-03-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-03-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value  Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>23.13</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-03-05</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-03-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>87500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>87500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value Restricted Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-03-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value Restricted Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-03-05</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>34033</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34033</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Settlement in stock for long-term performance incentive payout under the General Motors Stock Incentive Plan that were not derivative securities; exempt transaction under Rule 16b-3.  A fixed percentage of the shares was withheld by GM to pay appropriate federal, state and local taxes in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares held in trust under General Motors Savings Stock Purchase Program as of 12/31/07.  State Street Bank &amp; Trust Co., Trustee.  Shares owned pursuant to Rule 16b-3 exempt employee savings plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Phantom Stock Units are held under Section 16b-3(c) exempt Rule 16b-3(b)(2) eligible excess benefit plan operated in conjunction with a qualified 401(k) plan.  Each Unit is the economic equivalent of one share of General Motors common stock.  The Units are payable in cash upon separation from General Motors.  These Units are being reported even though they are exempt under Rule 16b-3.  Units held as of 12/31/07.  The price of zero is notional and only used for purposes of facilitating the electronic filing of this Form.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The Deferred Stock Units were accrued under the Rule 16b-3 qualified General Motors Deferred Compensation Plan.  Each Deferred Stock Unit is the economic equivalent of one share of General Motors common stock.  Dividend equivalents are earned on each Deferred Stock Unit.  Units held as of 12/31/07.  The Deferred Stock Units convert on a &quot;1 for 1&quot; basis.  The price of zero is notional and only used for purposes of facilitating the electronic filing of this Form.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Employee stock option granted pursuant to Rule 16b-3 qualified General Motors Long-Term Incentive Plan. Stock options vest and become exercisable in three equal annual installments, commencing, respectively, one, two and three years from the date of initial grant.  Date shown in column 6 is the date the first installment becomes/became exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Restricted Stock Units (&quot;RSU&quot;) granted pursuant to Rule 16b-3 qualified General Motors Cash Based Restricted Stock Unit Plan.  Each Restricted Stock Unit is the economic equivalent of one share of General Motors common stock.  The RSUs are denominated in stock units but are paid in cash in three annual installments commencing, respectively, one, two and three years from the date of initial grant.  Date shown in Table II is the date the first installment is/was payable.  The price of zero in Table II is notional and only used for purposes of facilitating the electronic filing of this Form.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Martin I. Darvick, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Stephens</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
