v2.4.0.6

Product Warranty Liability (Tables) | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2012
Product Warranty Liability [Abstract] |
PolicyProductWarrantyAndRecallCampaignsLiabilities [Table Text Block] | The following table summarizes activity for policy, product warranty, recall campaigns and certified used vehicle warranty liabilities (dollars in millions):
| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2012 |  | 2011
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 6,600 |  |  | $ | 6,789 |
Warranties issued and assumed in period | 864 |  |  | 725 |
Payments | (916 | ) |  | (941 | )
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties | 233 |  |  | 117 |
Effect of foreign currency translation | 60 |  |  | 78 |
Balance at end of period | $ | 6,841 |  |  | $ | 6,768 |

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- Definition Tabular disclosure of the components of policy, product warranty, recall campaigns and certified used vehicle warranty liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | gm_ProductWarrantyLiabilityAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration