CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 68	$ 59	$ 38	$ 57	$ 207	$ 356	$ 241
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests					67	68	54
Net income					274	424	295
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Translation of foreign currency statements, net of tax, parent					97	(41)	(131)
Translation of foreign currency statements, net of tax, NCI					2	(4)	(4)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits [Roll Forward]
Adjustment to the Liability for Pension and Postretirement benefits, net of tax, parent					27	41	11
Adjustment to the Liability for Pension and Postretirement benefits, net of tax					27	41
Balance December 31	(541)		(665)		(541)	(665)
Other comprehensive income (loss), parent					124	0	(120)
Other comprehensive income (loss), NCI					2	(4)	(4)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), parent					331	356	121
Comprehensive Income (Loss), NCI					69	64	50
Tenneco Inc.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1		(338)		(297)	(338)	(297)	(166)
Balance December 31	(241)		(338)		(241)	(338)	(297)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance January 1		(327)		(368)	(327)	(368)	(379)
Balance December 31	(300)		(327)		(300)	(327)	(368)
Balance December 31	(541)		(665)		(541)	(665)	(665)
Noncontrolling Interests
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1		(5)		(1)	(5)	(1)	3
Balance December 31	(3)		(5)		(3)	(5)	(1)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance January 1		0		0	0	0	0
Balance December 31	0		0		0	0	0
Balance December 31	(3)		(5)		(3)	(5)	(1)
Total
Net income					274	424	295
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1		(343)		(298)	(343)	(298)	(163)
Translation of foreign currency statements, net of tax					99	(45)	(135)
Balance December 31	(244)		(343)		(244)	(343)	(298)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance January 1		$ (327)		$ (368)	(327)	(368)	(379)
Adjustment to the Liability for Pension and Postretirement benefits, net of tax					27	41	11
Balance December 31	(300)		(327)		(300)	(327)	(368)
Balance December 31	$ (544)		$ (670)		(544)	(670)	(666)
Other comprehensive income (loss)					126	(4)	(124)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)					$ 400	$ 420	$ 171