Condensed consolidating guarantor and non-guarantor financial information (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 400	$ 539	$ 539	$ 390	$ 585	$ 585
Marketable securities	337		718
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	145		327
Finance and other receivables, net	3,599		4,254
Inventories	1,948		1,714
Investments in non-consolidated affiliates	58		60
Property and equipment, net	1,690		1,570
Goodwill	295		319
Deferred taxes, net	2,238		2,057
Other	674		733
Total Assets	11,384		12,291
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Debt	4,497		4,856
Postretirement benefits liabilities	3,214		3,316
Amounts due to (from) affiliates	0		0
Other liabilities	4,080		4,091
Total Liabilities	11,791		12,263
Redeemable equity securities	5		5
Stockholders' equity attributable to non-controlling interests	43		50
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(455)		(27)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	11,384		12,291
NIC [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	112		226	176		239
Marketable securities	55		429
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	13		20
Finance and other receivables, net	5		3
Inventories	0		0
Investments in non-consolidated affiliates	(2,459)		(2,094)
Property and equipment, net	0		0
Goodwill	0		0
Deferred taxes, net	44		31
Other	115		168
Total Assets	(2,115)		(1,217)
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Debt	1,604		1,689
Postretirement benefits liabilities	0		0
Amounts due to (from) affiliates	(5,996)		(5,574)
Other liabilities	2,727		2,690
Total Liabilities	(1,665)		(1,195)
Redeemable equity securities	5		5
Stockholders' equity attributable to non-controlling interests	0		0
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(455)		(27)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	(2,115)		(1,217)
Navistar, Inc. [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	48		13	20		22
Marketable securities	0		1
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8		9
Finance and other receivables, net	139		154
Inventories	761		650
Investments in non-consolidated affiliates	6,286		5,818
Property and equipment, net	739		600
Goodwill	0		0
Deferred taxes, net	1,887		1,912
Other	167		152
Total Assets	10,035		9,309
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Debt	295		156
Postretirement benefits liabilities	2,893		2,981
Amounts due to (from) affiliates	9,753		9,055
Other liabilities	(49)		(194)
Total Liabilities	12,892		11,998
Redeemable equity securities	0		0
Stockholders' equity attributable to non-controlling interests	0		0
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(2,857)		(2,689)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	10,035		9,309
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	240		300	194		324
Marketable securities	282		288
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	124		298
Finance and other receivables, net	3,453		4,070
Inventories	1,240		1,113
Investments in non-consolidated affiliates	51		54
Property and equipment, net	953		972
Goodwill	295		319
Deferred taxes, net	306		114
Other	394		416
Total Assets	7,338		7,944
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Debt	2,832		3,242
Postretirement benefits liabilities	321		335
Amounts due to (from) affiliates	(3,837)		(3,595)
Other liabilities	1,537		1,717
Total Liabilities	853		1,699
Redeemable equity securities	0		0
Stockholders' equity attributable to non-controlling interests	43		52
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	6,442		6,193
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	7,338		7,944
Eliminations and Other [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0	0		0
Marketable securities	0		0
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Finance and other receivables, net	2		27
Inventories	(53)		(49)
Investments in non-consolidated affiliates	(3,820)		(3,718)
Property and equipment, net	(2)		(2)
Goodwill	0		0
Deferred taxes, net	1		0
Other	(2)		(3)
Total Assets	(3,874)		(3,745)
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Debt	(234)		(231)
Postretirement benefits liabilities	0		0
Amounts due to (from) affiliates	80		114
Other liabilities	(135)		(122)
Total Liabilities	(289)		(239)
Redeemable equity securities	0		0
Stockholders' equity attributable to non-controlling interests	0		(2)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(3,585)		(3,504)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	$ (3,874)		$ (3,745)