Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) employees segments	Jan. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Costs of products sold	$ 1,370	$ 1,466
Net loss attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ (62)	(33)
Number Of Segments | segments	4
Goodwill	$ 38		$ 38
Sales of manufactured products, net	1,629	1,730
Interest expense	82	81
Capital expenditures	46	29
Proceeds from financed lease obligations	8	7
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)	$ (17)	5
Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member] | Number Of Employees Hourly Workers [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Number Of Employees | employees	5,500
concentration risk number of employees percentage	83.00%
Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member] | Number of Employees Salaried Workers [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Number Of Employees | employees	300
concentration risk number of employees percentage	6.00%
North America Truck [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 0	0
Capital expenditures	43	25
Extended Warranty Programs [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized	34	$ 38
Deferred Revenue	$ 317		$ 325