Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 251,294	$ 215,804	$ 236,822
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(57,954)	(35,320)	(54,896)
Financial instruments
Change in the fair value of derivatives	(2,371)	(2,319)	5,321
Income tax benefit (provision) on derivative instruments	884	1,011	(2,174)
Financial instruments, net of tax	(1,487)	(1,308)	3,147
Postretirement benefit plans
Amortization of actuarial loss	43,624	46,736	36,473
Amortization of prior service credit	(566)	(566)	(566)
Actuarial (loss) gain	(39,689)	23,597	(165,357)
Pension settlement charges	12,262	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit on postretirement benefit plans	(9,299)	(23,410)	50,317
Foreign currency translation effect	13,152	6,879	6,005
Postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	19,484	53,236	(73,128)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(39,957)	16,608	(124,877)
Comprehensive income	211,337	232,412	111,945
Less comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling shareholders’ interests	(1,660)	(1,189)	18,949
Comprehensive income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	$ 212,997	$ 233,601	$ 92,996