Acquisitions and Divestitures - Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net sales and operating revenues	$ 15,379	$ 17,450	$ 11,763
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	(1,001)	(201)	174
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ (1,521)	$ (334)	$ 55
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ (18.69)	$ (4.12)	$ 0.93
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ (18.69)	$ (4.12)	$ 0.93
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Net sales and operating revenues			$ 17,860
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests			488
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.			$ 275
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock (in dollars per share)			$ 3.41
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock (in dollars per share)			$ 3.40