Finance Receivables (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	$ 579	$ 485
Customer | North America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	66	31
Customer | Europe
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	35	39
Customer | Asia/Pacific
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	12	15
Customer | Mining
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	69	106
Customer | Latin America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	307	217
Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	90	77
Dealer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	0	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Europe
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Recorded investment in finance receivables on non-accrual status	$ 1	$ 1