Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,854,656	$ 2,924,869	$ 2,972,901
Cost of products sold	2,338,153	2,272,519	2,355,451
Gross profit	516,503	652,350	617,450
Selling, general and administrative expense	244,779	255,701	262,970
Pension settlement charges	0	12,262	0
Operating profit	271,724	384,387	354,480
Interest expense	(32,048)	(26,604)	(23,820)
Interest income	7,362	4,378	2,211
Other non-operating (expense) income	(3,113)	4,932	1,157
Income before income taxes	243,925	367,093	334,028
Provision for income taxes	147,180	115,799	118,224
Net income	96,745	251,294	215,804
Net income attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	1,345	2,913	3,038
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	$ 95,400	$ 248,381	$ 212,766
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.83	$ 4.56	$ 3.73
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.81	$ 4.51	$ 3.69