Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Consolidated Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010		Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 334	$ 380	[1]	$ 1,006	$ 1,075	[1]
Net income	1,409	129	[1]	1,503	217	[1]
Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation	1,400	117	[1]	1,468	179	[1]
Basic earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 19.10	$ 1.61	[1]	$ 20.13	$ 2.49	[1]
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 18.24	$ 1.56	[1]	$ 19.04	$ 2.44	[1]
As Previously Reported [Member]
Selling, general and administrative expenses		360			1,070
Net income		149			222
Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation		137			184
Basic earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation		$ 1.89			$ 2.56
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation		$ 1.83			$ 2.51
Revisions for Change in Accounting Principle [Member]
Selling, general and administrative expenses		20			5
Net income		(20)			(5)
Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation		(20)			(5)
Basic earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation		$ (0.28)			$ (0.07)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation		$ (0.27)			$ (0.07)
As Computed Under the Ratable Method [Member]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	338			1,028
Net income	1,405			1,481
Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation	1,396			1,446
Basic earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 19.04			$ 19.84
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 18.18			$ 18.75
Effect of Change [Member]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(4)			(22)
Net income	4			22
Net income attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 4			$ 22
Basic earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 0.06			$ 0.29
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 0.06			$ 0.29

[1] Certain amounts have been revised to reflect a retrospective change in accounting principle. See Note 1, Summary of significant accounting policies.