Stockholders' Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning Balance	$ (1,791)	$ (1,920)	$ (2,154)		$ (1,920)	$ (2,211)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(18)		(28)		(12)	(8)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	23		28		146	65
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	5		0		134	57
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Ending Balance	(1,786)	(1,791)	(2,154)	$ (2,211)	(1,786)	(2,154)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	(1)		(1)	6	(1)	2
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Settlement and Curtailment Gain (Loss), before Tax	0		0
Tax expense	1	1	(7)		20	(22)
Net income (loss) attributable to Navistar International Corporation	$ (48)		55		$ (37)	(18)
Common stock, shares authorized	220				220		220
Common stock, par value	$ 0.10				$ 0.10		$ 0.10
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning Balance	$ (301)	(315)	(261)		$ (315)	(283)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(18)		(28)		(4)	(6)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	0		0		0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(18)		(28)		(4)	(6)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Ending Balance	(319)	(301)	(289)	(283)	(319)	(289)
Pension Benefits
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning Balance	(1,490)	(1,605)	(1,893)		(1,605)	(1,928)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0		0		(8)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	23		28		146	65
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	23		28		138	63
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Ending Balance	(1,467)	$ (1,490)	(1,865)	$ (1,928)	(1,467)	(1,865)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amortization of actuarial loss	23		29		47	57
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension Benefits
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amortization of actuarial loss					142	9
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(23)		(29)		(189)	(66)
Tax expense	0		(1)		(43)	(1)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ 23		$ 28		$ 146	$ 65