Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	$ 225	$ 199
Total Assets	4,935	4,346	$ 4,410
Accounts payable	1,601	1,501
Accrued taxes	46	39
Deferred credits and other liabilities	158	139
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	32	40	32	$ 41
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,001)	(1,100)
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity	647	573
Noncontrolling interests	39	47
Total equity	686	620	659
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 4,935	$ 4,346
As Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total equity			675
Adjustment
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total equity			$ (16)