Condensed Consolidating Guarantor and Non-Guarantor - Statement of Comprehsive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Net income (loss) Attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ (374)	$ (172)	$ (497)	$ (325)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3	(65)	20	(78)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	40	17	78	40
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	43	(48)	98	(38)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(331)	(220)	(399)	(363)
Parent Company [Domain]
Net income (loss) Attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(374)	(172)	(497)	(325)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3	(65)	20	(78)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	40	17	78	40
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	43	(48)	98	(38)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(331)	(220)	(399)	(363)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Domain]
Net income (loss) Attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(433)	(201)	(607)	(396)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	35	16	70	36
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	35	16	70	36
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	(398)	(185)	(537)	(360)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Domain]
Net income (loss) Attributable to Navistar International Corporation	129	337	254	448
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2	(65)	20	(78)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	5	2	8	5
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	7	(63)	28	(73)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	136	274	282	375
Consolidation, Eliminations [Domain]
Net income (loss) Attributable to Navistar International Corporation	304	(136)	353	(52)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2)	65	(20)	78
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	(40)	(18)	(78)	(41)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(42)	47	(98)	37
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ 262	$ (89)	$ 255	$ (15)