<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.10.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>443</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>351</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>102</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>12</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Consolidation and Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/ConsolidationAndPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation and Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Acquisition of Federal-Mogul</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/AcquisitionOfFederalMogul</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition of Federal-Mogul</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/FinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Financing Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Financing Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable Securitization and Factoring Programs</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/AccountsReceivableSecuritizationAndFactoringPrograms</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable Securitization and Factoring Programs</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Other Charges</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherCharges</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Other Charges</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EnvironmentalMattersLitigationAndProductWarranties</Role>
      <ShortName>Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Common Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/PensionPlansPostretirementAndOtherEmployeeBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2126100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2127100 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2128100 - Disclosure - Revenue</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/Revenue</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2129100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2224201 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301301 - Disclosure - Consolidation and Presentation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/ConsolidationAndPresentationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation and Presentation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/ConsolidationAndPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/FinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangements</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Other Charges (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Other Charges (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherCharges</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EnvironmentalMattersLitigationAndProductWarrantiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EnvironmentalMattersLitigationAndProductWarranties</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Common Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CommonStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CommonStock</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/PensionPlansPostretirementAndOtherEmployeeBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/PensionPlansPostretirementAndOtherEmployeeBenefits</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2326301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2327301 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatements</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2328301 - Disclosure - Revenue (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RevenueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/Revenue</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Consolidation and Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/ConsolidationAndPresentationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation and Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Consolidation and Presentation - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/ConsolidationAndPresentationRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation and Presentation - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402401 - Disclosure - Acquisition of Federal-Mogul (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/AcquisitionOfFederalMogulDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition of Federal-Mogul (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/AcquisitionOfFederalMogul</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsCarryingAndEstimatedFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Long Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsFairValueOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Long Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403405 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Summarization for Foreign Currency Forward Purchase and Sale Contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsSummarizationForForeignCurrencyForwardPurchaseAndSaleContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Summarization for Foreign Currency Forward Purchase and Sale Contracts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Short Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsScheduleOfShortTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Short Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Senior Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsSeniorCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Senior Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Financial Ratios under Senior Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/DebtAndOtherFinancingArrangementsFinancialRatiosUnderSeniorCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Financial Ratios under Senior Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410401 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable Securitization and Factoring Programs - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/AccountsReceivableSecuritizationAndFactoringProgramsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable Securitization and Factoring Programs - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Other Charges - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Other Charges - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Other Charges - Roll Forward of Restructuring Reserve (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesRollForwardOfRestructuringReserveDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Other Charges - Roll Forward of Restructuring Reserve (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EnvironmentalMattersLitigationAndProductWarrantiesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties - Warranty Accrual Rollforward (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EnvironmentalMattersLitigationAndProductWarrantiesWarrantyAccrualRollforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties - Warranty Accrual Rollforward (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EarningsPerShareSummaryOfEarningsPerShareOfCommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share  - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/EarningsPerShareAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share  - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CommonStockAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Stock Options Status and Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CommonStockStockOptionsStatusAndActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock - Stock Options Status and Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418404 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Nonvested Restricted Shares (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/CommonStockNonvestedRestrictedSharesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock - Nonvested Restricted Shares (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/PensionPlansPostretirementAndOtherEmployeeBenefitsComponentsOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422403 - Disclosure - Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/PensionPlansPostretirementAndOtherEmployeeBenefitsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422404 - Disclosure - Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Amounts Recognized for Pension and Postretirement Benefits in Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/PensionPlansPostretirementAndOtherEmployeeBenefitsAmountsRecognizedForPensionAndPostretirementBenefitsInOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Amounts Recognized for Pension and Postretirement Benefits in Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424402 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426402 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426403 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427402 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427403 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsStatementOfComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427404 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427405 - Disclosure - Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Statement of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SupplementalGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialStatementsStatementOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Statement of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RevenueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428403 - Disclosure - Revenue - Segment Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/RevenueSegmentRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue - Segment Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ten-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.tenneco.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ten-20180930.xml</File>
    <File>ten-20180930.xsd</File>
    <File>ten-20180930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ten-20180930_def.xml</File>
    <File>ten-20180930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ten-20180930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
