Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,972,901	$ 3,424,809	$ 3,439,233
Cost of products sold	2,355,451	2,852,051	2,923,042
Gross profit	617,450	572,758	516,191
Selling, general and administrative expense	262,970	272,300	275,477
Operating profit	354,480	300,458	240,714
Interest expense	(23,820)	(28,138)	(27,906)
Interest income	2,211	1,500	810
Gain on sale of interest in subsidiary		77,471
Other non-operating income (expense)	1,157	(2,772)	(647)
Income before income taxes	334,028	348,519	212,971
Provision for income taxes	118,224	111,697	79,406
Net income	215,804	236,822	133,565
Net income attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	3,038	23,244	22,552
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	$ 212,766	$ 213,578	$ 111,013
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders	$ 3.73	$ 3.48	$ 1.75
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders	$ 3.69	$ 3.42	$ 1.73