CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Premium on Common Stock and Other Capital Surplus	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Less - Common Stock Held as Treasury Stock, at Cost	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		64,454,248				3,244,692
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 1	$ 3,059	$ (545)	$ (1,697)	$ 323	$ 40
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		335,766
Stock options exercised (in shares)		277,118
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			22
Other comprehensive gain (loss)				(120)
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 241				241
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2015	425
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						4,228,633
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program	213
Net income							22
Other comprehensive loss							(3)
Dividends declared							(20)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		65,067,132				7,473,325
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	464	$ 1	3,081	(665)	(1,456)	$ 536	39
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		292,514
Stock options exercised (in shares)		532,284
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			17
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	356				356
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2016	573
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						4,182,613
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program	225
Net income							32
Other comprehensive loss							(2)
Dividends declared							(22)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		65,891,930				11,655,938
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	620	$ 1	3,098	(665)	(1,100)	$ 761	47
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		34,760
Restricted shares forfeited (in shares)		(126,682)
Stock options exercised (in shares)		233,501
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			14
Other comprehensive gain (loss)				124
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	207				207
Cash dividends declared					(53)
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2017	696
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						2,936,950
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program	169
Net income							31
Other comprehensive loss							(1)
Dividends declared							(31)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		66,033,509				14,592,888
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 742	$ 1	$ 3,112	$ (541)	$ (946)	$ 930	$ 46