Earnings Per Share - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Basic earnings per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 38	$ 179	$ 82	$ 57	$ 70	$ 49	$ 75	$ 47	$ 356	$ 241	$ 225
Average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)									55,939,135	59,678,309	60,734,022
Basic earnings per share of common stock	$ 0.70	$ 3.22	$ 1.44	$ 1.00	$ 1.19	$ 0.84	$ 1.24	$ 0.79	$ 6.36	$ 4.05	$ 3.70
Diluted earnings per share —
Average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)									55,939,135	59,678,309	60,734,022
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock (in shares)									175,513	96,168	130,732
Stock options (in shares)									292,788	418,673	917,754
Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities (in shares)									56,407,436	60,193,150	61,782,508
Earnings per average share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.69	$ 3.19	$ 1.43	$ 0.99	$ 1.18	$ 0.83	$ 1.23	$ 0.78	$ 6.31	$ 4.01	$ 3.64