Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Basic earnings per share [Abstract]
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding									214,374	224,414	227,150
Earnings per share — basic	$ (1.39)	$ 0.39	$ 0.76	$ 0.75	$ 0.57	$ 0.70	$ 0.66	$ 0.79	$ 0.55	$ 2.72	$ 2.89
Diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc.	$ (293.3)	$ 83.3	$ 164.4	$ 164.1	$ 125.3	$ 157.4	$ 148.1	$ 178.9	$ 118.5	$ 609.7	$ 655.8
Effect of stock-based compensation									954	1,234	1,774
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive shares									215,328	225,648	228,924
Earnings per share — diluted	$ (1.39)	$ 0.39	$ 0.76	$ 0.75	$ 0.56	$ 0.70	$ 0.65	$ 0.79	$ 0.55	$ 2.70	$ 2.86