Finance Receivables (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	$ 485	$ 468
Customer | North America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	31	27
Customer | Europe
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	39	28
Customer | Asia/Pacific
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	15	54
Customer | Mining
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	106	62
Customer | Latin America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	217	201
Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	77	96
Dealer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	0	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Europe
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	$ 1	$ 4