Organization and Basis of Presentation Effect of New Accounting Standards (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Effect of New Accounting Standards On January 1, 2014, new accounting guidance became effective regarding financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The new guidance requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except when one is not available as of the reporting date or the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for this purpose. This guidance does not affect the tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, as the tabular reconciliation presents the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits. The adoption of this new guidance has had no impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. This guidance becomes effective for AAM at the beginning of our 2017 fiscal year and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Effect of New Accounting Standards On January 1, 2014, new accounting guidance became effective regarding financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The new guidance requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except when one is not available as of the reporting date or the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for this purpose. This guidance does not affect the tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, as the tabular reconciliation presents the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits. The adoption of this new guidance has had no impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. This guidance becomes effective for AAM at the beginning of our 2017 fiscal year and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.