Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 38	$ 179	$ 82	$ 57	$ 70	$ 49	$ 75	$ 47	$ 356	$ 241	$ 225
Comprehensive Income									356	121	40
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									68	54	42
Comprehensive Income									64	50	40
Net income									424	295	267
Comprehensive Income			420						420	171	80
As Previously Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									0	247	226
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									70	56	44
Net income									433	303	270
Comprehensive Income			429							179	83
Adjustment
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									0	(6)	(1)
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									(2)	(2)	(2)
Net income									(9)	(8)	(3)
Comprehensive Income			$ (9)							(8)	(3)
Tenneco Inc.
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									356	241	225
Comprehensive Income									356	121	40
Tenneco Inc. | As Previously Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									363	247	226
Comprehensive Income									363	127	41
Tenneco Inc. | Adjustment
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									(7)	(6)	(1)
Comprehensive Income									(7)	(6)	(1)
Noncontrolling Interest
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									68	54	42
Comprehensive Income									64	50	40
Noncontrolling Interest | As Previously Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									70	56	44
Comprehensive Income									66	52	42
Noncontrolling Interest | Adjustment
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.									(2)	(2)	(2)
Comprehensive Income									$ (2)	$ (2)	$ (2)