This article reviews fretting wear damage in industries and in the contact mechanics of coated systems. Micro-slip motion resulting in fretting damage is discussed along with major experimental factors. The experimental factors, including normal force, relative displacement, frequency and medium influence are directly compared. Industrial solutions to reduce fretting damages are then discussed. The contact mechanics of a coated system are reviewed to quantify stress states in a coating layer and the substrate. Finally, a literature review on simulation for fretting is carried out. This review study provides useful methods and practical solutions to minimize fretting wear damage.