Stress-induced birefringence can lead to distortion in the reflection spectra of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, thereby resulting in the loss of accuracy and stability of strain measurements. The bonding layer is a direct factor in producing stress birefringence within FBGs. To assess the impacts quantitatively, a theoretical model that links the bonding layer and the reflection spectrum was established. At the same time, the finite element method, based on the theoretical model, was used to study the relationships between characteristics of the bonding layer and reflection spectrum in detail. The analytical results indicate that high elastic modulus and mismatched Poisson's ratio of bonding layer decrease the available strain measuring range of FBGs remarkably, and that unreasonable geometric parameters of the bonding layer should be avoided. In addition, a validation experiment was conducted and experimental results proved the prediction of the theoretical analysis. It can be concluded from the results that the bonding layer is the major limiting factor for the application of surface-bonded FBG sensors in large strain measurements. The bonding materials and bonding processes used in producing FBG sensors deserve serious consideration.