Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CRTP) exhibit excellent properties including light weight, high strength, and high modulus, making them highly promising for applications in automotive, aerospace, military, and wind power industries. Several methods have been employed to modify the surface of carbon fiber (CF) in order to enhance the interfacial bonding between CF and thermoplastic resins, aiming to achieve composites with superior properties. This paper introduced the current theory of interfacial enhancement for carbon fiber reinforced composites, summarized the recent research progress in CF surface modification technology and interfacial bonding, and reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of different surface modification technologies and the impact on the properties of prepared CRTP.