Other (Loss) Income, Net (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	$ (178)	$ (78)	$ (64)
Gain on acquisition
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	0	0	16
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(10)	0	(40)
Realized and unrealized loss on derivatives, net
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(190)	0	0
Dividend expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(4)	(86)	(29)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	3	(4)	1
Appreciation on deferred management fee
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	0	(13)	(18)
Equity earnings from non-consolidated affiliates
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	35	30	25
Foreign currency translation loss
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(9)	(9)	(26)
Other
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(3)	4	7
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(178)	(78)	(63)
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Gain on acquisition
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	0	0	16
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Loss on extinguishment of debt
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(10)	0	(39)
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Realized and unrealized loss on derivatives, net
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(190)	0	0
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Dividend expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(4)	(86)	(29)
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Gain (loss) on disposition of assets
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	3	(4)	1
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Appreciation on deferred management fee
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	0	(13)	(18)
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Equity earnings from non-consolidated affiliates
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	35	30	25
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Foreign currency translation loss
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	(9)	(9)	(26)
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member] | Other
Component of Other Income (Loss), Net [Line Items]
Other (loss) income, net	$ (3)	$ 4	$ 7