Earnings Per Share - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Summary Of Earnings Per Share Of Common Stock [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 21	$ 78	$ 81	$ 46	$ 54	$ 12	$ 63	$ 54	$ 226	$ 183	$ 275
Average shares of common stock outstanding									60,734,022	60,474,492	59,985,677
Earnings per average share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34	$ 1.29	$ 1.34	$ 0.76	$ 0.90	$ 0.19	$ 1.04	$ 0.90	$ 3.72	$ 3.03	$ 4.58
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock									130,732	205,020	140,609
Stock options									917,754	914,550	957,224
Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities									61,782,508	61,594,062	61,083,510
Diluted earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 1.27	$ 1.32	$ 0.75	$ 0.88	$ 0.19	$ 1.02	$ 0.88	$ 3.66	$ 2.97	$ 4.50