The invention relates to the field of technologies for detecting surface coatings, and discloses a method and an experimental device for detecting failures of coatings on the basis of impact energy response. The method and the experimental device have the advantages that service states of the coatings can be judged by the aid of the method on the basis of a principle of different impact energy absorption rates of the coatings in intact states and failure states, accordingly, test operational processes can be simplified, the analysis cost can be reduced, results for indicating whether the coatings fail or not can be quickly and effectively obtained, and actual popularization and application can be facilitated; the experimental device for implementing the method is simple in structure, low in manufacturing cost and easy to implement, detection principles are reliable, test operation can be facilitated, the failures of the coatings can be automatically judged and identified, accordingly, skill requirements on detecting personnel can be lowered to a great extent, and popularization and application of the experimental device can be facilitated.