Corrosion protection afforded by a magnesium coating treated in cerium salt solution on steel substrate was investigated using open circuit potential, polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.005 M sodium chloride solution (NaCl). The morphology of the surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The cerium treated coating was obtained by immersion in CeCl 3 solution. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of the treated magnesium coating was improved. The corrosion potential of the treated coating was found to be nobler than that of the untreated magnesium coating and the corrosion current decreased significantly. Impedance results showed that the cerium treatment increased corrosion protection. The improvement of anti-corrosion properties was attributed to the formation of cerium oxides and hydroxides that gave rise to a physical barrier effect.