Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net Schedule of Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Automotive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Automotive [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 GM Financial [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 GM Financial [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 GMNA [Member] Automotive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 GMNA [Member] Automotive [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 GME [Member] Automotive [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 GME [Member] Automotive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 GME [Member] Automotive [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 GMIO [Member] GM Korea [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 GMIO [Member] GM Korea [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 GMIO [Member] GM Korea [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 GMIO [Member] Automotive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 GMIO [Member] Automotive [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 GMSA [Member] Automotive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 GMSA [Member] Automotive [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance			$ 1,973			$ 695		$ 1,278		$ 0			$ 0					$ 549		$ 146
Goodwill impairment charges	(60)	(78)	(60)	(695)		(60)		0		0		(590)	0		(60)	(78)	(27)	(60)		0
Goodwill from business combinations			66			10		56		0			0					0		10
Effect of foreign currency and other			(26)			(26)		0		0			0					(14)		(12)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,953		1,953			619		1,334		0		0	0					475		144
Accumulated impairment charges	$ (29,957)		$ (29,957)		$ (29,897)	$ (29,957)	$ (29,897)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (26,399)	$ (26,399)		$ (3,072)	$ (3,072)				$ (486)	$ (426)	$ 0	$ 0