Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015 segments	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ (64)	$ (297)	$ (106)	$ (545)
Number Of Segments			4
Sales of manufactured products, net	2,658	2,708	5,043	4,877
Interest expense	75	74	152	156
Capital expenditures	28	29	45	50
Proceeds from financed lease obligations			20	34
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)			(39)	94
Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member] | Number Of Employees Hourly Workers [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Number Of Employees	6,200		6,200
concentration risk number of employees percentage	73.00%		73.00%
Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member] | Number of Employees Salaried Workers [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Number Of Employees	300		300
concentration risk number of employees percentage	5.00%		5.00%
Brazilian Reporting Unit [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	0	7	0	7
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		43		43
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0	142	0	142
Product Warranty Accrual [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)		42			(57)	52
North America Truck [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	24	26	38	38
Extended Warranty Programs [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized	38	33	75	60
Deferred Revenue	$ 425		$ 425				$ 437