Principal Components of Investments In Equity Affiliates (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in affiliates carried at cost	Various
Investment	$ 203
Investment in affiliates carried at cost	2
Investment in affiliates	205	198
Dongfeng Dana Axle Co., Ltd.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Investment	149
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	20.00%
Investment	30
Axles India Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	48.00%
Investment	9
Dana Rexroth Transmission Systems
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Investment	5
All others as a group
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	Various
Investment	$ 10

This item represents the aggregate carrying amount of all cost-method investments as reported on or included in the balance sheet. The original cost of the investments may differ from the aggregate carrying amount disclosed due to various adjustments such as: (i) dividends received in excess of earnings after the date of investment that are considered a return of investment and therefore recorded as reductions to cost of the investment, or (ii) a series of operating losses of an investee or other factors which may indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred which is other than temporary and accordingly such decrease in value has been recognized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 6

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 03-1

-Paragraph 22

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References+ Details