XML 64 R53.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.5.0.2

Commitments and Contingencies Other Contingencies (Details) Number in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantees - Liability Recorded |  |  |  |  | $ 68,000,000 | $ 72,000,000
Guarantees - Maximum Liability |  |  |  |  | 4,200,000,000 | 2,600,000,000
Accrued liabilities and Other liabilities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Product liability |  |  |  |  | 687,000,000 | 712,000,000
Takata DIR [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vehicles Subject to Defect Information Reports | 2.5 |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency Accrual | $ 0 |  | $ 0 |  | 0 |
Period Prior to Due Date of Next DIR | 120 days |  |  |  |  |
Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued |  |  |  |  | 320,000,000 |
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at end of period | $ 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Takata Matters - Future DIRs [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vehicles Subject to Defect Information Reports | 4.3 |  |  |  |  |
Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued |  |  |  |  | 550,000,000 |
Recalls - Ignition Switch [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vehicles recalled |  | 2.6 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Compensation Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency Accrual | $ 16,000,000 |  | 66,000,000 | $ 315,000,000 | $ 16,000,000 | $ 66,000,000
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period |  |  | 66,000,000 | 315,000,000 |  |
Provisions |  |  | 0 | 225,000,000 |  |
Payments |  |  | (50,000,000) | (177,000,000) |  |
Balance at end of period | $ 16,000,000 |  | $ 16,000,000 | $ 363,000,000 |  |

X
- Definition Period prior to the due date of the DIR where GM will have the opportunity to prove to NHTSA that the inflators in certain vehicles do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyPeriodPriortoDueDateofNextDIR
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Vehicles subject to defect information reports (DIR). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_VehiclesSubjecttoDefectInformationReports
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of vehicles recalled + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_Vehiclesrecalled
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The current carrying amount of the liability for the freestanding or embedded guarantor's obligations under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of cash outflow reducing loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualPayments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Undiscounted amount of the accrual for damages arising from third-party use of the entity's product or process. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.Y.Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualProductLiabilityGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualProvision
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The difference between the maximum amount of estimated loss and the amount recorded as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 05 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395354&loc=d3e12631-108344 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=gm_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentandOtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=gm_TakataDIRMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=gm_TakataMattersFutureDIRsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=gm_RecallsIgnitionSwitchMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallCompensationProgramMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |