Recent Transactions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Recent transactions	RECENT TRANSACTIONS BorgWarner BERU Systems Korea Co., Ltd. During the third and fourth quarters of 2012, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 49% of BorgWarner BERU Systems Korea Co., Ltd. for $15.0 million in cash, which has been classified as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with ASC Topic 810,"Consolidation," the Company reduced its noncontrolling interest balance by $7.0 million and reduced capital in excess of par value by $8.0 million. As a result of these transactions, the Company now owns 100% of BorgWarner BERU Systems Korea Co., Ltd. Spark plug business During the second and third quarters of 2012, the Company incurred $39.7 million in expense associated with the loss on sale of the spark plug business to Federal-Mogul Corporation primarily related to the write-down of prior purchase price accounting adjustments. These purchase price accounting adjustments were originally reported in the Engine segment and related to the BERU acquisition. As a result of the sale, the Company received $55.2 million in cash, which is classified as an investing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The sale will allow BorgWarner to continue to focus on expanding BERU Systems' core products of glow plugs, diesel cold start systems and other gasoline ignition technologies. Tire pressure monitoring business During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company incurred $21.5 million in expense associated with the loss on sale of the tire pressure monitoring business, including the write-down of prior purchase price accounting adjustments related to the BERU acquisition, costs related to the divestiture, and a write-down of a portion of the ignitor and electronic business. The Company received $22.9 million in cash, classified as an investing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, from the sale of its tire pressure monitoring business to Huf Electronics GmbH. The sale will allow BorgWarner to continue to focus on expanding BERU Systems' core products of glow plugs, diesel cold start systems and other gasoline ignition technologies. BorgWarner Vikas Emissions Systems India Private Limited On August 2, 2011, the Company purchased the noncontrolling interest's 40% share of BorgWarner Vikas Emissions Systems India Private Limited for $29.4 million in cash, which has been classified as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with ASC Topic 810, the Company reduced its noncontrolling interest balance by $2.8 million and reduced capital in excess of par value by $26.6 million. As a result of this transaction, the Company owns 100% of BorgWarner Vikas Emissions Systems India Private Limited. Traction Systems division of Haldex Group On January 31, 2011, the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Haldex Traction Holding AB ("Haldex Traction Systems"). Haldex Traction Systems has operations in Sweden, Hungary and Mexico. The consideration for the acquisition, net of cash acquired, was $214.9 million (1.38 billion Swedish Krona). The acquisition is expected to accelerate the Company's growth in the global all-wheel drive (AWD) market as it continues to shift toward front-wheel drive (FWD) based vehicles. The acquisition will add industry leading FWD/AWD technologies, with a strong European customer base, to the Company's existing portfolio of front and rear-wheel drive based products. This enables the Company to provide global customers a broader range of AWD solutions to meet their vehicle needs. The operating results are reported within the Company's Drivetrain reporting segment as of the date of acquisition. The Company paid $203.7 million, which is recorded as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Additionally, the Company assumed retirement-related liabilities of $5.3 million and assumed debt of $5.9 million, which are considered non-cash transactions in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. BERU-Eichenauer GmbH In anticipation of market growth expected for its electric cabin heaters, the Company completed the acquisition of BERU-Eichenauer GmbH by acquiring the shares of its former joint venture partner, Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG. The former 50/50 joint venture was formed in 2000 to develop and manufacture electric cabin heaters. The acquisition formally took effect on May 1, 2010. The pre-tax impact of this acquisition was an increase in intangible and other assets of $17.6 million related to adjusting the Company's 50% investment to fair value under ASC Topic 805, a gain of $8.0 million and a decrease in cash of $9.6 million. The Company's $9.6 million payment has been recorded as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Dytech ENSA S.L. On April 10, 2010, the Company acquired 100% of Dytech ENSA S.L. (“Dytech”), headquartered in Vigo, Spain. The gross cost of this acquisition is $147.7 million, or $147.6 million, net of cash and cash equivalents. Dytech is a leading producer of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers, EGR tubes, and integrated EGR modules including valves for automotive and commercial vehicle applications, both on- and off-road. This acquisition enhances the Company's emissions products offering and system/module expertise, further differentiating BorgWarner as a leader in highly engineered automotive systems. In addition, Dytech's geographic footprint and customer base complements and strengthens the Company's market presence with global automakers. The operating results of Dytech are reported within the Company's Engine reporting segment from the date of acquisition. The Company's $147.6 million payment has been recorded as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Etatech, Inc. Technology On June 2, 2009, the Company announced the purchase of advanced gasoline ignition technology and related intellectual property from Florida-based Etatech, Inc. The high-frequency ignition technology enables high-performing, lean burning engines to significantly improve fuel economy and reduce emissions compared with conventional combustion technologies. The Company made a cash payment of $7.5 million in both June 2009 and May 2010 for the purchase of Etatech, Inc., which has been reflected as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. BERU In 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of BERU Aktiengesellschaft's ("BERU") outstanding shares through a German legal process referred to as a "squeeze out," which required the Company to pay €73.39 per share to the non-controlling shareholders. Certain non-controlling shareholders had challenged the "squeeze out" share price of €73.39 . In November 2012, the court ruled confirming the adequacy of the share price of €73.39, therefore the Company would not be required to pay any additional amount to the “squeezed-out” shareholders. However, the non-controlling shareholders have appealed the ruling and no date has been set by the court to rule on the appeal. In addition, certain non-controlling shareholders had challenged the 2008 Domination and Profit Sharing Agreement ("DPTA"). In the same ruling on the "squeeze out," the court ruled on the adequacy of the guaranteed dividend calculated in the DPTA. The ruling increased the guaranteed divided by a negligible amount. The non-controlling shareholders and the Company have appealed this ruling and no date has yet been set by the court to rule on the appeals.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

BorgWarner BERU Systems Korea Co., Ltd.

During the third and fourth quarters of 2012, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 49% of BorgWarner BERU Systems Korea Co., Ltd. for $15.0 million in cash, which has been classified as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with ASC Topic 810,"Consolidation," the Company reduced its noncontrolling interest balance by $7.0 million and reduced capital in excess of par value by $8.0 million. As a result of these transactions, the Company now owns 100% of BorgWarner BERU Systems Korea Co., Ltd.

Spark plug business

During the second and third quarters of 2012, the Company incurred $39.7 million in expense associated with the loss on sale of the spark plug business to Federal-Mogul Corporation primarily related to the write-down of prior purchase price accounting adjustments. These purchase price accounting adjustments were originally reported in the Engine segment and related to the BERU acquisition. As a result of the sale, the Company received $55.2 million in cash, which is classified as an investing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The sale will allow BorgWarner to continue to focus on expanding BERU Systems' core products of glow plugs, diesel cold start systems and other gasoline ignition technologies.

Tire pressure monitoring business

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company incurred $21.5 million in expense associated with the loss on sale of the tire pressure monitoring business, including the write-down of prior purchase price accounting adjustments related to the BERU acquisition, costs related to the divestiture, and a write-down of a portion of the ignitor and electronic business. The Company received $22.9 million in cash, classified as an investing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, from the sale of its tire pressure monitoring business to Huf Electronics GmbH. The sale will allow BorgWarner to continue to focus on expanding BERU Systems' core products of glow plugs, diesel cold start systems and other gasoline ignition technologies.

BorgWarner Vikas Emissions Systems India Private Limited

On August 2, 2011, the Company purchased the noncontrolling interest's 40% share of BorgWarner Vikas Emissions Systems India Private Limited for $29.4 million in cash, which has been classified as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In accordance with ASC Topic 810, the Company reduced its noncontrolling interest balance by $2.8 million and reduced capital in excess of par value by $26.6 million. As a result of this transaction, the Company owns 100% of BorgWarner Vikas Emissions Systems India Private Limited.

Traction Systems division of Haldex Group

On January 31, 2011, the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Haldex Traction Holding AB ("Haldex Traction Systems"). Haldex Traction Systems has operations in Sweden, Hungary and Mexico. The consideration for the acquisition, net of cash acquired, was $214.9 million (1.38 billion Swedish Krona).

The acquisition is expected to accelerate the Company's growth in the global all-wheel drive (AWD) market as it continues to shift toward front-wheel drive (FWD) based vehicles. The acquisition will add industry leading FWD/AWD technologies, with a strong European customer base, to the Company's existing portfolio of front and rear-wheel drive based products. This enables the Company to provide global customers a broader range of AWD solutions to meet their vehicle needs.

The operating results are reported within the Company's Drivetrain reporting segment as of the date of acquisition. The Company paid $203.7 million, which is recorded as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Additionally, the Company assumed retirement-related liabilities of $5.3 million and assumed debt of $5.9 million, which are considered non-cash transactions in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

BERU-Eichenauer GmbH

In anticipation of market growth expected for its electric cabin heaters, the Company completed the acquisition of BERU-Eichenauer GmbH by acquiring the shares of its former joint venture partner, Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG. The former 50/50 joint venture was formed in 2000 to develop and manufacture electric cabin heaters. The acquisition formally took effect on May 1, 2010.

The pre-tax impact of this acquisition was an increase in intangible and other assets of $17.6 million related to adjusting the Company's 50% investment to fair value under ASC Topic 805, a gain of $8.0 million and a decrease in cash of $9.6 million. The Company's $9.6 million payment has been recorded as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Dytech ENSA S.L.

On April 10, 2010, the Company acquired 100% of Dytech ENSA S.L. (“Dytech”), headquartered in Vigo, Spain. The gross cost of this acquisition is $147.7 million, or $147.6 million, net of cash and cash equivalents. Dytech is a leading producer of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers, EGR tubes, and integrated EGR modules including valves for automotive and commercial vehicle applications, both on- and off-road. This acquisition enhances the Company's emissions products offering and system/module expertise, further differentiating BorgWarner as a leader in highly engineered automotive systems. In addition, Dytech's geographic footprint and customer base complements and strengthens the Company's market presence with global automakers. The operating results of Dytech are reported within the Company's Engine reporting segment from the date of acquisition. The Company's $147.6 million payment has been recorded as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Etatech, Inc. Technology

On June 2, 2009, the Company announced the purchase of advanced gasoline ignition technology and related intellectual property from Florida-based Etatech, Inc. The high-frequency ignition technology enables high-performing, lean burning engines to significantly improve fuel economy and reduce emissions compared with conventional combustion technologies. The Company made a cash payment of $7.5 million in both June 2009 and May 2010 for the purchase of Etatech, Inc., which has been reflected as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

BERU

In 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of BERU Aktiengesellschaft's ("BERU") outstanding shares through a German legal process referred to as a "squeeze out," which required the Company to pay €73.39 per share to the non-controlling shareholders. Certain non-controlling shareholders had challenged the "squeeze out" share price of €73.39 . In November 2012, the court ruled confirming the adequacy of the share price of €73.39, therefore the Company would not be required to pay any additional amount to the “squeezed-out” shareholders. However, the non-controlling shareholders have appealed the ruling and no date has been set by the court to rule on the appeal.

In addition, certain non-controlling shareholders had challenged the 2008 Domination and Profit Sharing Agreement ("DPTA"). In the same ruling on the "squeeze out," the court ruled on the adequacy of the guaranteed dividend calculated in the DPTA. The ruling increased the guaranteed divided by a negligible amount. The non-controlling shareholders and the Company have appealed this ruling and no date has yet been set by the court to rule on the appeals.