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Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION We include the accounts of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (Holdings) and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements. We eliminate the effects of all intercompany transactions, balances and profits in our consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances, savings accounts, sweep accounts, and highly liquid investments in money market funds and certificates of deposit with maturities of 90 days or less at the time of purchase.
Revenue [Policy Text Block] REVENUE RECOGNITION We are obligated under our contracts with customers to manufacture and supply products for use in our customers’ operations. We satisfy these performance obligations at the point in time that the customer obtains control of the products, which is the point in time that the customer is able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, the products. This typically occurs upon shipment to the customer in accordance with purchase orders and delivery releases issued by our customers. See Note 13 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers for more detail on our revenue.
Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE The majority of our accounts receivable are due from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive industry and are considered past due when payment is not received within the terms stated within the contract. Trade accounts receivable for our customers are generally due within approximately 50 days from the date our customers receive our product.

Amounts due from customers are stated net of allowances for credit losses. We determine our allowances by considering our expected credit losses, in addition to factors such as our previous loss history, customers' ability to pay their obligations to us, and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole. The allowance for credit losses was $2.2 million and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We write-off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.

We have agreements in place with factoring companies to sell customer receivables on a nonrecourse basis from certain of our locations in Europe and Asia. The factoring companies collect payment for the sold receivables and AAM has no continuing involvement with such receivables.
We also participate in an early payment program offered by our largest customer, which allows us to sell certain of our North American receivables from this customer to a third party at our discretion. AAM has no continuing involvement with the sold receivables.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Preproduction Design and Development Costs [Policy Text Block] CUSTOMER TOOLING AND PRE-PRODUCTION COSTS RELATED TO LONG-TERM SUPPLY AGREEMENTS Engineering, research and development (R&D), and other pre-production design and development costs for products sold on long-term supply arrangements are expensed as incurred unless we have a contractual guarantee for reimbursement from the customer. Reimbursements received for pre-production costs relating to awarded programs are deferred and recognized into revenue over the life of the associated program. Reimbursements received for pre-production costs relating to future programs that have not been awarded, or amounts received for programs that become discontinued prior to production, are recorded as a reduction of expense. Costs for tooling used to make products sold on long-term supply arrangements for which we have either title to the assets or the noncancelable right to use the assets during the term of the supply arrangement are capitalized in property, plant and equipment. Reimbursable costs for tooling assets for which our customer has title and we do not have a noncancelable right to use during the term of the supply arrangement, are recorded in accounts receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. The reimbursement for the customer-owned tooling is recorded as a reduction of accounts receivable upon collection. Capitalized items and customer receipts in excess of tooling costs specifically related to a supply arrangement are amortized over the shorter of the term of the arrangement or over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] INVENTORIES We state our inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of our inventories is determined using the first-in-first-out method.  When we determine that our gross inventories exceed usage requirements, or if inventories become obsolete or otherwise not saleable, we record a provision for such loss as a component of our inventory accounts.
Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) [Policy Text Block] MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OPERATIONS (MRO) MATERIALS We include all spare parts and other durable materials for machinery and equipment that are consumed in the manufacturing process in MRO, which is included in Other assets and deferred charges in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. MRO assets are capitalized at actual cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over a useful life of six years, beginning from their purchase date. Repair costs for MRO assets are expensed in the period incurred. Amortization expense related to MRO was $61.6 million, $62.4 million and $67.7 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (PP&E) We state property, plant and equipment, including amortizable tooling, at historical cost, as adjusted for impairments. Construction in progress includes costs incurred for the construction of buildings and building improvements, and machinery and equipment in process. Repair and maintenance costs that do not extend the useful life or otherwise improve the utility of the asset beyond its existing useful state are expensed in the period incurred.

We record depreciation and tooling amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets. Depreciation and tooling amortization amounted to $396.9 million, $372.9 million and $373.8 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS When impairment indicators exist, we evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment. We consider projected future undiscounted cash flows, trends and other circumstances in making such estimates and evaluations. If impairment is deemed to exist, the carrying amount of the asset is adjusted based on its fair value. Recoverability of assets “held for use” is determined by comparing the forecasted undiscounted cash flows of the operations to which the assets relate to their carrying amount. When the carrying value of an asset group exceeds its fair value and is therefore nonrecoverable, those assets are written down to fair value. Fair value is determined based on market prices, when available, or a discounted cash flow analysis is performed using management estimates.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block] GOODWILL We record goodwill when the purchase price of acquired businesses exceeds the value of their identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. We test our goodwill annually as of October 1, or more frequently if necessary, for impairment in accordance with the accounting guidance for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles. See Note 3 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for more detail on our goodwill.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible assets are valued using primarily the relief from royalty method or the multi-period excess earnings method, both of which utilize significant unobservable inputs. These inputs are defined in the fair value hierarchy as Level 3 inputs, which require management to make estimates and assumptions regarding certain financial measures using forecasted or projected information. See Note 3 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for more detail on our intangible assets.
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] LEASING We record a right of use asset and lease liability when an agreement grants us the right to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with an identified asset, and we are able to direct the use of that asset throughout the term of the agreement, if such term exceeds 12 months. Options to extend or terminate the agreements have been included in the relevant lease term to the extent that they are reasonably certain to be exercised. For agreements that contain both lease and non-lease components, we account for these agreements as a single lease component for all classes of underlying assets. See Note 14 - Leasing, for more detail on our leases
Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block] DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS The costs related to the issuance or modification of long-term debt are deferred and amortized into interest expense over the expected life of the borrowings. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our unamortized debt issuance costs were $42.3 million and $57.8 million, respectively. Debt issuance costs associated with our senior unsecured notes, as well as our Term Loan A Facility due 2024 and Term Loan B Facility (as defined in Note 4 - Long-Term Debt), are recorded as a reduction to the related debt liability. Debt issuance costs of $8.9 million and $12.2 million related to our Revolving Credit Facility (also as defined in Note 4 - Long-Term Debt), are classified as Other assets and deferred charges on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs that exist upon the extinguishment of debt are expensed proportionally to the amount of debt extinguished and classified as Debt refinancing and redemption costs on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] DERIVATIVES We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value and we are not subject to master netting agreements. If a derivative qualifies under the accounting guidance as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged asset, liability or firm commitment through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify as hedges, are immediately recognized in earnings. See Note 5 - Derivatives and Risk Management, for more detail on our derivatives.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND REMEASUREMENT We translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries to United States (U.S.) dollars at end-of-period exchange rates. We translate the income statement elements of our foreign subsidiaries to U.S. dollars at average-period exchange rates. We report the effect of translation for our foreign subsidiaries that use the local currency as their functional currency as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities in a currency other than the functional currency of a subsidiary are reported in current period income. We also report any gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of a subsidiary in current period income. These foreign currency gains and losses resulted in net losses of $1.7 million, $0.5 million and $6.5 million for the years 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, in Other expense, net.
Postemployment Benefit Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block] PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS Net pension and postretirement benefit expenses and the related liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis. These plan expenses and obligations are dependent on management's assumptions developed in consultation with our actuaries. We review these actuarial assumptions at least annually and make modifications when appropriate. See Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans, for more detail on our pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND OTHER INCENTIVE COMPENSATION We award stock-based compensation in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance shares. For the RSUs, the grant date fair value is measured as the stock price at the date of grant. For certain performance based awards, fair value is estimated using valuation techniques that require management to use estimates and assumptions. Certain awards require that management's estimates and assumptions be evaluated at each reporting date to determine if compensation expense related to the award should be adjusted, both on a catch-up and go-forward basis.

We also award incentive compensation in the form of long-term cash awards (LTCAs) and performance units (PUs). We grant the LTCAs payable in cash to certain associates which vest in full over a three-year period. We also grant PUs payable in cash to officers and certain other associates which vest in full over a three-year performance period and are based primarily on AAM's three-year cumulative free cash flow.

Compensation expense is recognized over the period during which the requisite service is provided, referred to as the vesting period. See Note 8 - Stock-Based Compensation and Other Incentive Compensation, for more detail on our accounting for stock-based compensation and other incentive compensation.
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS We expense R&D, as incurred, in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. R&D spending was $116.8 million, $117.4 million and $144.7 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In both 2021 and 2020, our R&D amounts reflect customer engineering, design and development recoveries of approximately $15.0 million.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AND VALUATION ALLOWANCES Our deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the basis of such assets and liabilities for income tax purposes.
In accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes, we review the likelihood that we will realize the benefit of deferred tax assets and estimate whether recoverability of our deferred tax assets is “more likely than not,” based on forecasts of taxable income in the related tax jurisdictions.  In determining the requirement for a valuation allowance, the historical results, projected future operating results based upon approved business plans, eligible carry forward periods, and tax planning opportunities are considered, along with other relevant positive and negative evidence. If, based upon available evidence, it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded.
  
We record uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process whereby: (1) we determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position: and (2) for those positions that meet the "more likely than not" recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. We record interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions in income tax expense (benefit).
See Note 9 - Income Taxes, for more detail on our accounting for income taxes.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (EPS) We present EPS using the two-class method. This method allocates undistributed earnings between common shares and non-vested share based payment awards that entitle the holder to non-forfeitable dividend rights. Our participating securities are our non-vested restricted stock units. See Note 10 - Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS), for more detail on our accounting for EPS.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block] PRODUCT WARRANTY We record estimated warranty obligation liabilities at the dates our products are sold, using sales volumes and internal and external warranty data where there is no payment history and historical information about the average cost of warranty claims for customers with prior claims. We estimate our costs based on the contractual arrangements with our customers, existing customer warranty terms and internal and external warranty data, which includes a determination of our warranty claims and actions taken to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. See Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies, for detail on our accounting for product warranties.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] USE OF ESTIMATES In order to prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
EFFECT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Standards Recently Adopted
Accounting Standard Update 2021-08
On October 28, 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2021-08 - Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This guidance amends previous guidance to now require that an acquirer recognize contract assets and liabilities obtained as part of a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This guidance becomes effective at the beginning of our 2023 fiscal year, however, early adoption was permitted and we elected to adopt this guidance early as of December 31, 2021. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as the business combination completed during 2021 did not include material contract assets or contract liabilities. See Note 16 - Acquisitions and Dispositions for additional information.
Accounting Standard Update 2020-04
On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) and has subsequently issued ASU 2021-01 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions that are intended to ease the burden of updating contracts to contain a new reference rate due to the discontinuation of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR).
At December 31, 2021, we have completed our analysis to identify the contracts that include LIBOR as the referenced rate and have concluded that these contracts are comprised primarily of those related to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities and our variable-to-fixed interest rate swap. See Note 4 - Long-Term Debt for additional detail on our Senior Secured Credit Facilities and Note 5 - Derivatives and Risk Management for additional detail on our interest rate swap. This guidance was available for adoption immediately following issuance on March 12, 2020 and may be implemented in any period prior to the guidance expiration on December 31, 2022. We have elected to adopt this guidance as of December 31, 2021 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Accounting Standards Update 2019-12
On December 18, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 - Income Taxes (Topic 740). This guidance is intended to simplify the accounting and disclosure requirements for income taxes by removing various exceptions, and requires that the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates on current tax expense be included in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period of the enactment. This guidance became effective and we adopted this guidance on January 1, 2021. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Standards Not Yet Adopted
Accounting Standard Updated 2021-10
On November 17, 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10 - Government Assistance (Topic 832). This guidance establishes requirements for annual disclosures about certain types of material government assistance, including government grants and tax credits. This guidance becomes effective at the beginning of our 2022 fiscal year, and we expect to prospectively adopt this guidance on January 1, 2022. We do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
CORONAVIRIUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was enacted on March 27, 2020 in the United States. The key provisions of the CARES Act, as applicable to AAM, included the following:
•The ability to use net operating losses (NOLs) to offset income without the 80% taxable income limitation enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, and to carry back NOLs to offset prior year income for five years. These are temporary provisions that apply to NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019 or 2020 tax years. We recognized a tax benefit of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 related to our ability to carry back prior year losses under the CARES Act to years with the previous 35% tax rate. We received an income tax refund of approximately $6.0 million during 2021 and an income tax refund of approximately $31.0 million during 2020 as a result of these provisions of the CARES Act.
•The ability to defer the payment of the employer portion of social security taxes incurred between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount to be paid by December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% to be paid by December 31, 2022. In the year ended December 31, 2021 we paid $7.6 million of deferred social security taxes, and the remaining $7.6 million of deferred social security taxes will be paid in 2022.
•The ability to claim an Employee Retention Credit (ERC), which is a refundable payroll tax credit, for 50% of qualified wages or benefits, subject to certain limitations, that are paid to an employee when they are not providing services due to COVID-19. The ERC applies to qualified wages paid or incurred during the period March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020 and is available to eligible employers whose operations were fully or partially suspended due to COVID-19, or whose gross receipts declined by more than 50% when compared to the applicable period in the prior year. At December 31, 2021, we have a refundable ERC amount of $2.6 million included in Prepaid expenses and other in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.