v3.5.0.2
Document And Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Oct. 28, 2016
Common Class A [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   23,411,751
Common Class B [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   1,762,231
Entity Registrant Name LITHIA MOTORS INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0001023128  
Trading Symbol lad  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Voluntary Filers No  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes  
Document Type 10-Q/A  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2016  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Amendment Flag true  
Amendment Description The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016, showed an incorrect number of Class A common stock outstanding at October 28, 2016. This amendment corrects the typographical error.