The gear was made of SNC815 case-carburized, quench hardened and tempered steel. The gears were failed far earlier than the expected service life used in the industrial site. Causes of the failed gear were analyzed by microstructure observation. By the SEM and micro structure examinations, the damaged surfaces had been weared and failed by fatigue. Through microscope observation on the damaged surface, it was found that the cause of failure was determined by external overloading and the initial stage of the damage was closely related to complex contact fatigue failure. The overload and contact fatigue contributed to the early failure cause.