Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 96,745	$ 251,294	$ 215,804
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cumulative currency translation adjustments	38,850	(57,954)	(35,320)
Financial instruments:
Change in the fair value of derivatives and marketable securities	(2,473)	(2,371)	(2,319)
Income tax benefit on derivative instruments	855	884	1,011
Financial instruments, net of tax	(1,618)	(1,487)	(1,308)
Postretirement benefit plans:
Amortization of actuarial loss	42,570	43,624	46,736
Amortization of prior service credit	(566)	(566)	(566)
Actuarial gain (loss)	13,385	(39,689)	23,597
Pension settlement charges	0	12,262	0
Income tax benefit on postretirement benefit plans	(14,718)	(9,299)	(23,410)
Foreign currency translation effect	(7,855)	13,152	6,879
Postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	32,816	19,484	53,236
Other comprehensive income (loss)	70,048	(39,957)	16,608
Comprehensive income	166,793	211,337	232,412
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	4,720	(1,660)	(1,189)
Comprehensive income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	$ 162,073	$ 212,997	$ 233,601