CCT Agreements - Summary of Effect of Sale (Detail) - USD ($) $ 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
Net Sales
Net sales	$ 783,887	$ 750,913	$ 740,294	$ 649,775	$ 775,546	$ 782,368	$ 751,781	$ 663,206	$ 2,924,869	$ 2,972,901	$ 3,424,809
Operating Profit	105,138	78,228	109,916	91,104	102,531	82,167	99,428	70,354	384,387	354,480	300,458
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	69,324	49,303	70,749	59,005	59,246	53,176	59,582	40,762	248,381	212,766	213,578
Intercompany
Net Sales
Net sales	(34,047)	(34,517)	(38,105)	(32,789)	(36,241)	(38,995)	(46,086)	(42,410)	(139,457)	(163,732)	(301,501)
Operating Profit	$ (370)	$ (117)	$ (599)	$ (157)	$ 279	$ 437	$ 277	$ 2,033	$ (1,244)	$ 3,026	(15)
CCT Agreement
Net Sales
Net sales											666,992
Operating Profit											77,529
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company											38,037
CCT Agreement | Intercompany
Net Sales
Net sales											121,142
External Customers | CCT Agreement
Net Sales
Net sales											$ 545,850