Stockholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity beginning balance	$ 136,869	$ 140,874
Net income	15,278	4,534
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,556)	(7,443)
Unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedge, net	(117)	(136)
Total comprehensive income / (loss)	12,605	(3,045)
Vesting of RSUs	1	1
Treasury stock	(889)	(275)
Share based compensation expense	1,204	1,185
Proceeds from stock options exercised	658	0
Noncontrolling interest dividends	(2,149)	0
Stockholders' equity ending balance	148,299	138,740
Tower International [Member]
Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity beginning balance	74,375	63,247
Net income	14,855	2,548
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(970)	(7,692)
Unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedge, net	(117)	(136)
Total comprehensive income / (loss)	13,768	(5,280)
Vesting of RSUs	1	1
Treasury stock	(889)	(275)
Share based compensation expense	1,204	1,185
Proceeds from stock options exercised	658	0
Noncontrolling interest dividends	0	0
Stockholders' equity ending balance	89,117	58,878
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity beginning balance	62,494	77,627
Net income	423	1,986
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,586)	249
Unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedge, net	0	0
Total comprehensive income / (loss)	(1,163)	2,235
Vesting of RSUs	0	0
Treasury stock	0	0
Share based compensation expense	0	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	0	0
Noncontrolling interest dividends	(2,149)	0
Stockholders' equity ending balance	$ 59,182	$ 79,862