XML 63 R52.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.5.0.2

Commitments and Contingencies Litigation-Related Liability and Tax Administrative Matters (Details) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions, ₩ in Billions | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 7 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Feb. 28, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016 CAD employee | Jul. 31, 2016 | Jul. 15, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 KRW (₩) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Nov. 27, 2015 | Nov. 26, 2015
Indirect Tax Matters [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued |  | $ 900 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Indirect Tax-Related Escrow Deposit |  | 500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Indirect Tax-Related Escrow Deposit |  | $ 600 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
State Attorneys General, Number |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Economic-loss cases [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | U.S. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 100 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Economic-loss cases [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | CANADA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 21 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Civil Actions Brought by Governmental Entities [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Personal injury cases [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | U.S. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 285 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Personal injury cases [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | CANADA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 16 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Multidistrict Litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation Settlement, Amount |  |  | $ 275 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of claimants settled |  |  | 1,400 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Multidistrict Litigation [Member] | NEW YORK |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Claims Scheduled for Trial, Number |  |  |  | 6 |  |  |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Multidistrict Litigation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | NEW YORK |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |
Claims Dismissed, Number |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |
Claims Settled, Number |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Multidistrict Litigation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | NEW YORK | Consolidated Litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transferred Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 307 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Multidistrict Litigation State [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | TEXAS |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Shareholder Derivative Action [Member] | DELAWARE | Consolidated Litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Claims Dismissed, Number |  |  |  | 4 |  |  |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Shareholder Derivative Action [Member] | Eastern District of Michigan [Member] | Consolidated Litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  | 3 |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Shareholder Derivative Action [Member] | Wayne County, Michigan [Member] | Consolidated Litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending Claims, Number |  | 2 |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Investigation by the Office [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Damages Paid, Value |  |  | $ 900 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Prosecution Deferral Period |  |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Period after the expiration of the period of deferral |  |  | 30 days |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ignition Switch Recall Litigations - Shareholder Class Action [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation Settlement, Amount |  | $ 300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of shareholders opting out of settlement |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of shareholders filing an appeal |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
GM Canada Dealer Litigation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Plaintiffs | 200 |  |  | 181 |  |  |  |  |  |
Damages Sought, Value | CAD |  |  |  | CAD 750 |  |  |  |  |  |
Korea Wage Litigation - Hourly [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Plaintiffs | employee |  |  |  | 10,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Group Actions Filed |  |  |  | 8 |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Employees in the Case | employee |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued |  | $ 513 |  |  |  |  | ₩ 597 |  |  |
Korea Wage Litigation - Salaried [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Claims Remanded, Number |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 | 1
Accrued liabilities and Other liabilities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated Litigation Liability |  | $ 1,300 |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,200 |  |

X
- Definition Represents the contingent indirect tax-related escrow deposit amount that may be required. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_IndirectTaxRelatedEscrowDeposit
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The total number of claims remanded to lower courts, pertaining to litigation cases. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyClaimsRemandedNumber
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The total number of claims scheduled for trial during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyClaimsScheduledforTrialNumber
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total number of claims transferred to courts in different locations pertaining to a loss contingency from inception. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyClaimsTransferredNumber
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of group actions that have been filed pertaining to a loss contingency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyNumberOfGroupActions
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of claimants who are covered by the settlement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyNumberofPlaintiffsSettled
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of shareholders filing an appeal of the decision approving the settlement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyNumberofShareholdersFilinganAppeal
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of shareholders opting out of the settlement prior to approval. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyNumberofShareholdersOptingOutofSettlement
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period after the expiration of deferral-of-prosecution period, during which a dismissal of the prosecution can occur. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyPeriodaftertheexpirationoftheperiodofdeferral
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Term of the deferral-of-prosecution period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LossContingencyProsecutionDeferralPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of employee involved in the case related to which supreme court rendered its decision. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_NumberofEmployeeintheCase
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of state attorney generals involved in inquiries, investigations, subpoenas and requests for information in connection with recalls. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_StateAttorneyGeneralNumber
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate carrying amount of the estimated litigation liability for known or estimated probable loss from litigation, which may include attorneys' fees and other litigation costs. + 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 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationReserve
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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 Number of claims dismissed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyClaimsDismissedNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of claims settled. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyClaimsSettledNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of damages paid to the plaintiff in the legal matter. + 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 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesPaidValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. + 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 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=gm_IndirectTaxMattersMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsEconomicDamageMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_CA
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsCivilActionsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsInjuryorDeathMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsMultidistrictLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_NY
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=gm_ConsolidatedLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsMultidistrictLitigationStateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_TX
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsShareholderDerivativeActionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_DE
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=gm_EasternDistrictofMichiganMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=gm_WayneCountyMichiganMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsInvestigationbytheOfficeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_IgnitionSwitchRecallLitigationsShareholderClassActionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_GMCanadaDealerLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_KoreaWageLitigationHourlyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=gm_KoreaWageLitigationSalariedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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