The work aims to improve tribological properties and corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films doped with different Zr content were prepared in the method of linear anode layer ion source-assisted unbalanced magnetron sputtering. Chemical composition, microstructure and nano-indentation hardness, tribological properties and corrosion resistance of the films were characterized with SEM, Raman spectrometer and nano-indentation tester, nano-indentation hardness tester, high temperature pin-on-disc tribometer and electrochemical workstation, respectively. As Zr target power increased, Zr content increased linearly. As Zr content increased from 4.9 at% to 16.3 at%, ID/IG increased gradually and film hardness decreased from 12.1 GPa to 8.4 GPa gradually; as Zr content increased to 21.2%, ID/IG decreased and film hardness increased to 11.4 GPa. Zr-doped DLC films had lower frictional coefficient and better wear resistance than uncoated stainless steel substrates. The minimum frictional coefficient of Zr-doped DLC films was 0.07. As Zr content increased from 4.9% to 16.3%, corrosion resistance of DLC films decreased; as Zr content increased continuously, corrosion resistance of the Zr-doped DLC films improved. Corrosion resistance of stainless steel substrates with Zr-doped DLC films was better than that of stainless steel substrate when Zr content was less than 11.9%. The Zr-doped DLC films can not only improve friction and wear properties of the stainless steel substrate effectively, but also enhance corrosion resistance substantially when Zr content is no more than 11.9%.