Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Common Stock Held in Treasury	Retained Earnings	Defined Benefit Plans	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Cumulative Translation Adjustments	Lear Corporation Stockholders’ Equity	Non-controlling Interests
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 3,149.5	$ 0.0	$ 0.9	$ 1,652.9	$ (362.1)	$ 1,920.3	$ (104.5)	$ (5.3)	$ (56.3)	$ 3,045.9	$ 103.6
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	702.3					672.4				672.4	29.9
Other comprehensive loss	(337.8)						(114.7)	(27.9)	(193.3)	(335.9)	(1.9)
Consolidated comprehensive income	364.5					672.4	(114.7)	(27.9)	(193.3)	336.5	28.0
Stock-based compensation	70.7			70.7						70.7
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	0.9			0.9						0.9
Net issuances of shares held in treasury in settlement of stock-based compensation	(22.4)			(43.6)	21.2					(22.4)
Repurchase of common stock	(411.4)			(55.5)	(355.9)					(411.4)
Retirement of shares held in treasury	0.0		(0.1)	(155.9)	519.9	(363.9)				0.0
Dividends declared to Lear Corporation stockholders	(67.1)					(67.1)				(67.1)
Dividends declared to noncontrolling interests	(25.9)										(25.9)
Acquisition of outstanding noncontrolling interests	(18.0)			5.7						5.7	(23.7)
Sale of controlling interest	(11.5)										(11.5)
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	3,029.3	0.0	0.8	1,475.2	(176.9)	2,161.7	(219.2)	(33.2)	(249.6)	2,958.8	70.5
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	795.8					745.5				745.5	50.3
Other comprehensive loss	(232.0)						24.6	(5.5)	(247.2)	(228.1)	(3.9)
Consolidated comprehensive income	563.8					745.5	24.6	(5.5)	(247.2)	517.4	46.4
Stock-based compensation	65.7			65.7						65.7
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	2.5			2.5						2.5
Net issuances of shares held in treasury in settlement of stock-based compensation	(50.2)			(91.5)	41.3					(50.2)
Repurchase of common stock	(487.4)			0.0	(487.4)					(487.4)
Dividends declared to Lear Corporation stockholders	(79.4)					(79.4)				(79.4)
Dividends declared to noncontrolling interests	(29.3)										(29.3)
Additions to noncontrolling interests	2.7										2.7
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	3,017.7	0.0	0.8	1,451.9	(623.0)	2,827.8	(194.6)	(38.7)	(496.8)	2,927.4	90.3
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	1,040.5					975.1				975.1	65.4
Other comprehensive loss	(114.1)						1.8	(6.4)	(100.9)	(105.5)	(8.6)
Consolidated comprehensive income	926.4					975.1	1.8	(6.4)	(100.9)	869.6	56.8
Stock-based compensation	68.2			68.2						68.2
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	8.8			8.8						8.8
Net issuances of shares held in treasury in settlement of stock-based compensation	(47.3)			(124.2)	81.6	(4.7)				(47.3)
Repurchase of common stock	(658.8)				(658.8)					(658.8)
Dividends declared to Lear Corporation stockholders	(89.1)					(89.1)				(89.1)
Dividends declared to noncontrolling interests	(41.2)										(41.2)
Consolidation of affiliate	41.0										41.0
Acquisition of outstanding noncontrolling interests	(32.8)			(19.4)						(19.4)	(13.4)
Noncontrolling interests — other	0.0					(2.2)				(2.2)	2.2
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 3,192.9	$ 0.0	$ 0.8	$ 1,385.3	$ (1,200.2)	$ 3,706.9	$ (192.8)	$ (45.1)	$ (597.7)	$ 3,057.2	$ 135.7