Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	$ 199	$ 221
Total assets	4,346	3,970	$ 3,996
Accounts payable	1,501	1,376
Accrued taxes	39	37
Liabilities, Current	1,973	1,794
Deferred credits and other liabilities	139	222
Total liabilities	3,686	3,465
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	40	41	34	$ 20
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,100)	(1,456)
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity	573	425	495
Noncontrolling interests	47	39
Total equity	620	464	535
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	4,346	3,970
As Previously Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	195	218
Total assets	4,342	3,967
Accounts payable	1,496
Accrued taxes	41
Liabilities, Current	1,970
Deferred credits and other liabilities	116	206
Total liabilities	3,660	3,449
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	43	43
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,085)	(1,448)
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity	588	433
Noncontrolling interests	51	42
Total equity	639	475	538
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	4,342	3,967
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	4	3
Total assets	4	3
Accounts payable	5
Accrued taxes	(2)
Liabilities, Current	3
Deferred credits and other liabilities	23	16
Total liabilities	26	16
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	(3)	(2)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(15)	(8)
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity	(15)	(8)
Noncontrolling interests	(4)	(3)
Total equity	(19)	(11)	$ (3)
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 4	$ 3