Financing Activities (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	$ 387	$ 429	$ 371
Receivables written off	(146)	(180)	(150)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	47	56	47
Provision for credit losses	136us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	91us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	162us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	(3)	(3)	(2)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(20)	(6)	1
Balance at end of year	401	387	429
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	75	73	56
Collectively evaluated for impairment	326	314	373
Allowance, Ending balance	401	387	429
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	614	639	599
Collectively evaluated for impairment	28,861	28,427	27,969
Total gross finance receivables	29,475	29,066	28,568
Customer
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	374	417	362
Receivables written off	(146)	(180)	(150)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	47	56	47
Provision for credit losses	136	90	159
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	(3)	(3)	(2)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(20)	(6)	1
Balance at end of year	388	374	417
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	75	73	56
Collectively evaluated for impairment	313	301	361
Allowance, Ending balance	388	374	417
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	614	639	599
Collectively evaluated for impairment	20,454	20,081	19,269
Total gross finance receivables	21,068	20,720	19,868
Dealer
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	10	9	6
Receivables written off	0	0	0
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	0	0	0
Provision for credit losses	0	1	3
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0
Balance at end of year	10	10	9
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	10	10	9
Allowance, Ending balance	10	10	9
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,169	5,254	5,586
Total gross finance receivables	5,169	5,254	5,586
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	3	3	3
Receivables written off	0	0	0
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	0	0	0
Provision for credit losses	0	0	0
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0
Balance at end of year	3	3	3
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3	3	3
Allowance, Ending balance	3	3	3
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,238	3,092	3,114
Total gross finance receivables	$ 3,238	$ 3,092	$ 3,114

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A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

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Amount of recovery of financing receivables doubtful of collection that were previously charged off.

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Amount of direct write-downs of financing receivables charged against the allowance.

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Amount before allowance and after deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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Amount of expense related to estimated loss from loan and lease transactions.

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