Titania-containing organic–inorganic hybrid sol–gel film was developed to improve the corrosion resistance property of steel. Titania precursor was prepared from titanium-isopropoxide and methyl hydrogen silicone was used as a coupling agent to enhance the adhesion and hydrophobic nature of coating. The kinetics, thermal resistance and morphology of films were analyzed by, fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric and differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The anticorrosion performance of the sol–gel coated sample was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that coatings were dense, uniform and provided excellent corrosion resistance properties.