<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>411</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>446</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>100</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>15</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RevenueFromContractsWithCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Research and Development Expenditures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenditures</Role>
      <ShortName>Research and Development Expenditures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/OtherExpenseNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Inventories, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/InventoriesNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Product Warranty</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ProductWarranty</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranty</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NotesPayableAndLongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Stockholder's Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholder's Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2127100 - Disclosure - Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/Contingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2129100 - Disclosure - Restructuring</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/Restructuring</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2130100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2131100 - Disclosure - Reporting Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ReportingSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>Reporting Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2132100 - Disclosure - Recent Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RecentTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2133100 - Disclosure - Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSale</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ScheduleOfNewAccountingPronouncementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RevenueFromContractsWithCustomersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RevenueFromContractsWithCustomers</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Research and Development Expenditures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ResearchAndDevelopmentExpendituresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Research and Development Expenditures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenditures</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/OtherExpenseNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/OtherExpenseNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Inventories, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/InventoriesNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/InventoriesNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Product Warranty (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ProductWarrantyTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranty (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ProductWarranty</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NotesPayableAndLongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NotesPayableAndLongTermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323301 - Disclosure - Stockholder's Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholder's Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2324301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325301 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2327301 - Disclosure - Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/Contingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2329301 - Disclosure - Restructuring (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RestructuringTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/Restructuring</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2330301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331301 - Disclosure - Reporting Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ReportingSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Reporting Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ReportingSegments</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2333301 - Disclosure - Asset and Liabilities Held for Sale (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AssetAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset and Liabilities Held for Sale (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RevenueFromContractsWithCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RevenueFromContractsWithCustomersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Research and Development Expenditures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ResearchAndDevelopmentExpendituresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Research and Development Expenditures (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ResearchAndDevelopmentExpendituresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/OtherExpenseNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/OtherExpenseNetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Inventories, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/InventoriesNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/InventoriesNetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Product Warranty (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ProductWarrantyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranty (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ProductWarrantyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NotesPayableAndLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/NotesPayableAndLongTermDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Derivatives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Derivatives (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417403 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417404 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Income Statement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsIncomeStatementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Income Statement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefit Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefit Plans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423402 - Disclosure - Stockholder's Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholder's Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425402 - Disclosure - Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/LeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427402 - Disclosure - Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429402 - Disclosure - Restructuring (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RestructuringDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RestructuringTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431402 - Disclosure - Reporting Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ReportingSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reporting Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/ReportingSegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432402 - Disclosure - Recent Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RecentTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/RecentTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="a2019063010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433402 - Disclosure - Asset and Liabilities Held for Sale (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AssetAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset and Liabilities Held for Sale (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.borgwarner.com/role/AssetAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="a2019063010q.htm">a2019063010q.htm</File>
    <File>a2019060310qexhibit105.htm</File>
    <File>a2019063010qexhibit101.htm</File>
    <File>a2019063010qexhibit102.htm</File>
    <File>a2019063010qexhibit103.htm</File>
    <File>a2019063010qexhibit104.htm</File>
    <File>a2019063010qexhibit311.htm</File>
    <File>a2019063010qexhibit312.htm</File>
    <File>a2019063010qexhibit321.htm</File>
    <File>bwa-20190630.xsd</File>
    <File>bwa-20190630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bwa-20190630_def.xml</File>
    <File>bwa-20190630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bwa-20190630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
