Condensed Consolidating Guarantor and Non-Guarantor - Statement of Comprehsive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ (2,769)	$ 84	$ (172)	$ (153)	$ 255	$ 1,400	$ 74	$ (6)	$ (3,010)	$ 1,723	$ 223
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(125)	(19)	22
Defined Benefit Plans									(256)	(729)	472
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(381)	(748)	494
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									(3,391)	975	717
Parent Company [Domain]
Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									(3,010)	1,723	223
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(125)	(19)	22
Defined Benefit Plans									(256)	(729)	472
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(381)	(748)	494
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									(3,391)	975	717
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Domain]
Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									(3,100)	1,647	62
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment									0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plans									(225)	(725)	511
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(225)	(725)	511
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									(3,325)	922	573
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Domain]
Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									668	600	1,133
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(125)	(11)	22
Defined Benefit Plans									(31)	(4)	(39)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(156)	(15)	(17)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									512	585	1,116
Consolidation, Eliminations [Domain]
Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									2,432	(2,247)	(1,195)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment									125	11	(22)
Defined Benefit Plans									256	729	(472)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									381	740	(494)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation									2,813	(1,507)	(1,689)
Consolidated Entities [Member]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans									$ (256)