CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	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 at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 1	$ 3,016	$ (382)	$ (2,379)	$ 256	$ 43
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		62,101,335				1,694,692
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		149,398
Stock options exercised (in shares)		538,649
Purchase of noncontrolling equity interest	0		0
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			15
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(25)			(26)			1
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	275				275		20
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						600,000
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program						18
Capital contribution							3
Other comprehensive income (loss)							1
Dividends declared							(22)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	291	1	3,031	(408)	(2,104)	274	45
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2012						246
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		62,789,382				2,294,692
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		156,213
Stock options exercised (in shares)		769,133
Purchase of noncontrolling equity interest	(68)		(68)
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			51
Other comprehensive income (loss)	48			48			0
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	183				183		24
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						550,000
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program						27
Capital contribution							0
Sale of noncontrolling equity interest							(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)							0
Dividends declared							(29)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	472	1	3,014	(360)	(1,921)	301	39
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2013	433					433
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		63,714,728				2,844,692
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		62,334
Stock options exercised (in shares)		677,186
Purchase of noncontrolling equity interest	0		0
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			45
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(187)			(185)			(2)
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	226				226		21
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						400,000
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program						22
Sale of noncontrolling equity interest							0
Other comprehensive income (loss)							(1)
Dividends declared							(18)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	538	1	3,059	(545)	(1,695)	323	41
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 497					$ 497
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		64,454,248				3,244,692