The influence of ceramic ball wear on the tribocorrosion behavior of 316   L stainless steel is little studied. This study investigated the tribocorrosion behavior of 316   L stainless steel sliding against three different ceramic balls in 0.5   M H2SO4 solution. The results showed that the three ceramic balls exhibited quite different wear behaviors and the tribocorrosion behavior of 316   L stainless steel was significantly influenced by the wear of the ceramic counterpart. Surface analysis indicated Si-water reactions on the Si-containing balls at high shear stress and high flash temperature. This study provides clear evidence that the selection of the counterpart materials and their wear behaviors need to be paid more attention to in tribocorrosion experimental investigations of stainless steels.