Condensed consolidating guarantor and non-guarantor financial information (Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Net loss attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 84	$ 1,400	$ (241)	$ 1,468
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(61)	4	(139)	65
Defined benefit plans	23	(14)	63	65
Total other comprehensive income	(38)	(10)	(76)	130
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	46	1,390	(317)	1,598
NIC [Member]
Net loss attributable to Navistar International Corporation	84	1,400	(241)	1,468
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(61)	4	(139)	65
Defined benefit plans	(23)	(14)	(63)	65
Total other comprehensive income	(38)	(10)	(76)	130
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	46	1,390	(317)	1,598
Navistar, Inc. [Member]
Net loss attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(31)	1,288	(426)	1,275
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Defined benefit plans	(21)	(19)	(57)	51
Total other comprehensive income	21	(19)	57	51
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(10)	1,269	(369)	1,326
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net loss attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(30)	(40)	418	393
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(60)	4	(138)	65
Defined benefit plans	(1)	29	(6)	14
Total other comprehensive income	(59)	33	(132)	79
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(89)	(7)	286	472
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Net loss attributable to Navistar International Corporation	61	(1,248)	8	(1,668)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	60	(4)	138	(65)
Defined benefit plans	22	(10)	63	(65)
Total other comprehensive income	38	(14)	75	(130)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	99	(1,262)	83	(1,798)
Consolidated Entities [Member]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Defined benefit plans	$ (23)		$ (63)