Although friction-based isolation systems have been studied for many years, their seismic performance and influence factors have not yet been fully analyzed. This paper used a compiled computer program to investigate a rolling friction system under earthquakes. Unlike in other common systems, the relative displacement of the rolling friction system can be larger than the absolute displacement of the ground. Those displacement responses are very sensitive to the wave shape of ground motions. Different ground motion waves, even when generated from the same response spectrum, can result in obviously different displacement responses, and the friction variability on the contact surface provides additional complications for the seismic responses.