TiO2 films with one, three or five layers were prepared on a glass surface using the sol-gel method. The crystal structure, the surface morphology and the thickness of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry. The tribological properties of the TiO2 films were investigated by a tribometer. TiO2 thin films were eroded by sand-air injection. The erosion behavior and mechanism of TiO2 thin films in a sandstorm were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the films were highly abraded with increased erosion speed and dose of sand. With an increase in film layers, the erosion resistance and wear resistance of the TiO2 films increased gradually. The erosion mechanism consists of the film being damaged mainly from the cutting action of micro-scratches from low angle erosion. Alternatively, for high angle erosion, the material is damaged mainly by squeeze deformation by the action of erosion. Because of the high strength and toughness of the TiO2 thin films, the wear of its coating from high angle erosion is more severe than that from low erosion angle.