The impact of back edge tensile cracks on soil slope stability evaluation is explored in this study. This paper mainly summarized the influence of trailing edge tensile cracks on the instability mode, providing a theoretical basis for establishment of slope tensile-shear coupling failure stability evaluation system and identification of instability modes such as collapse and stepped landslide. Moreover, the influence mechanism was preliminarily explored from the results of indoor model testing result, and it was found that the slope height, slope angle and mechanical parameters of soil slope would directly affect the tensile crack initiation position, occurrence and depth of the trailing edge, which would have a significant impact on the slope stability. Finally, the main problems in the current research on soil slope stability evaluation and trailing edge tensile cracks were summarized and reviewed.