Document and Entity Information Document - shares	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020	May 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-9618
Entity Registrant Name	NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-3359573
Entity Address, Address Line One	2701 Navistar Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Lisle
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60532
City Area Code	331
Local Phone Number	332-5000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		99,504,431
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0000808450
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock, par value $0.10 | New York Stock Exchange
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.10
Trading Symbol	NAV
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Cumulative convertible junior preference stock, Series D (par value $1.00) | New York Stock Exchange
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Cumulative convertible junior preference stock, Series D (par value $1.00)
Trading Symbol	NAV-D
Security Exchange Name	NYSE