-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 +cDa9zfdxNtpZF8bIPqQFw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000808450-11-000007.txt : 20110118
<SEC-HEADER>0000808450-11-000007.hdr.sgml : 20110117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110118175213
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000808450-11-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110118
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110118

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Elliott Greg W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001302423

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09618
		FILM NUMBER:		11534102

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4201 WINFIELD ROAD
		CITY:			WARRENVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60555

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000808450
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLES & PASSENGER CAR BODIES [3711]
		IRS NUMBER:				363359573
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4201 WINFIELD ROAD
		STREET 2:		POST OFFICE BOX 1488
		CITY:			WARRENVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60555
		BUSINESS PHONE:		630-753-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4201 WINFIELD ROAD
		STREET 2:		POST OFFICE BOX 1488
		CITY:			WARRENVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60555

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL CORP /DE/NEW
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NAVISTAR HOLDING INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870528
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-01-13</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000808450</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NAV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001302423</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Elliott Greg W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4201 WINFIELD ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WARRENVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60555</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>SVP HR &amp; Admin. Operating Sub</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Premium Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>531</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>531</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21535</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>245.6168</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Navistar 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Premium Share Units were acquired under Navistar's Executive Stock Ownership Program.  Each Premium Share Unit represents one share of Navistar Common Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Curt A. Kramer, Attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-01-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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