Summarized Financial Information for DDAC and GETRAG Entities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Dongfeng Dana Axle Co., Ltd.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Sales	$ 951		$ 1,040	$ 607
Gross profit	100		112	83
Net income	36		26	16
Dana equity earnings in affiliate	8		1	1
Current assets	647		904
Noncurrent assets	152		143
Total assets	799		1,047
Current liabilities	627		869
Noncurrent liabilities	15		13
Total liabilities	642		882
GETRAG entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Sales	598	[1]	661	448
Gross profit	85	[1]	90	58
Net income	21	[1]	22	3
Dana equity earnings in affiliate	8	[1]	8
Current assets			237
Noncurrent assets			177
Total assets			414
Current liabilities			156
Noncurrent liabilities			50
Total liabilities			$ 206

[1] Amounts are for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.