Debt Table (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$ 8,422	$ 6,473
Automotive Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	2,799	2,798
Energy Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	901
Gaming Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	171	49
Railcar Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	175	275
Food Packaging Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	216	216
Real Estate Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	72	75
Home Fashion Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	0	0
Senior unsecured notes [Member] | 8% senior unsecured notes due 2018 - Icahn Enterprises [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	2,478	1,450
Senior unsecured notes [Member] | 7.75% senior unsecured notes due 2016 - Icahn Enterprises [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	1,050	1,050
Senior unsecured notes [Member] | Senior unsecured variable rate convertible notes due 2013 - Icahn Enterprises [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	556	556
Senior unsecured notes [Member] | Railcar Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	175	275
Debt facilities [Member] | Automotive Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	2,737	2,737
Debt facilities [Member] | Energy Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	724	0
Debt facilities [Member] | Gaming Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	0	49
Secured credit facilities [Member] | Energy Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	125	0
Secured credit facilities [Member] | Gaming Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	171	0
Secured credit facilities [Member] | Food Packaging Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	214	214
Mortgages payable [Member] | Real Estate Segment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	72	75
Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$ 120	$ 67