Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (2,974)	$ 72
Adjustments for changes in:
Foreign currency translation	(315)	(3,741)
Unrecognized employee benefit costs (including effects of foreign currency translation)	649	5,453
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	148	4
Fair value of cash flow hedges	18	(85)
Reclassification adjustments for items included in net income:
Amortization of unrecognized employee benefit costs	785	1,874
Realized gains on sale of marketable securities	(30)	0
Realized losses from settlement of cash flow hedges	135	115
Other comprehensive income	1,390	3,620
Comprehensive (loss) income	(1,584)	3,692
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(83)	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh	$ (1,501)	$ 3,692