Significant Accounting Policies - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Numerator
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - income from continuing operations available to common stockholders	$ 69,324	$ 49,303	$ 70,749	$ 59,005	$ 59,246	$ 53,176	$ 59,582	$ 40,762	$ 248,381	$ 212,766	$ 213,578
Denominator
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									54,480	57,012	61,402
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options and other stock units (in shares)									610	611	999
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									55,090	57,623	62,401
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30	$ 0.91	$ 1.29	$ 1.06	$ 1.06	$ 0.94	$ 1.04	$ 0.70	$ 4.56	$ 3.73	$ 3.48
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.28	$ 0.90	$ 1.27	$ 1.05	$ 1.04	$ 0.93	$ 1.03	$ 0.69	$ 4.51	$ 3.69	$ 3.42