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Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 215/45R17 91H Tire for
Michelin Defender2 - 215/45R17 91H Tire
4.7 out of 5 stars
stars
1,032 ratings1,029 reviews
  1. 5 stars84% (872)
  2. 4 stars8% (82)
  3. 3 stars3% (30)
  4. 2 stars2% (19)
  5. 1 star3% (29)

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Showing 321-330 of 1,029 reviews
Sep 3, 2025
Reviewer name: Ben Dover
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

My second set

My first set of these tires came with the car when I bought it new. I put 55,000 miles on them before I replaced them. Back in the day, I would have driven until I had a flat, but no more. I could have put another 5 K on them, but safety first. Also the traction was a little off.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?4WWZQ2MCDTXO13602308630
Aug 14, 2025
Reviewer name: Toots
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars review

New tires Defender 2

I had the primacy ltx standard issue. These are a little louder, a little less gas mileage, but the cornering is better. I haven't driven in rain yet. The ride is slightly rougher but these should last way longer. I only got 41000 out of the primacy ltx.

Review from michelinman.com
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Oct 14, 2022
Reviewer name: Previous cvt owner 1234
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Dependable, reliable, durable

The last 5 cars I have owned in the past 10 years I have put defenders. I have never had major issues. I have had issues with the other tire manufacturers I have used. They are not cheap, but I do not have issues besides the occasional nail. These tires are great!

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?4WWZQ2MCDTXO13602308630
Aug 25, 2024
Reviewer name: Anonymous
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars review

Nice tires but not performance oriented enough

Tires ride smoothly and quietly. Was hoping to replace my Michelin Primacy with another set of Michelin Primacy. Old tires had plenty of tread but were getting old (summer only car with low mileage). The Defender do not corner like the Primacy. The Primacy were more performance oriented and you can tell the difference. Unfortunately the Primacy in my tire size is no longer available (225R60/16). I do not drive like a race car driver but when I made a U-turn, you could tell they didn't grip the same. Also when making a left turn with and advanced light, sometimes I can tell my tires are slipping (accelerate a little too hard for the tires). I wish the Primacy were still available in my size.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?4WWZQ2MCDTXO13602308630
Sep 9, 2023
Reviewer name: Ibafilfan
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Perfect Tires

I bought these for my Jetta in 2019, my car had 62,000 miles on it. I am almost ready for new ones I have 145,000 on my car! I love Michelin’s won’t buy anything else, if it is good enough for the Paris Metro than it is good enough for me! (We road the Metro)

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?4WWZQ2MCDTXO13602308630
Sep 12, 2022
Reviewer name: Joseph
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

EXCELLENT TIRES WITH GREAT PERFORMANCE AND QUIET RIDE

After purchasing the Michelin Defender 2 tires for my Lexus ES350, I have decided to get a new set for my RX350 with 245/50R20. The New Defender 2 tires have great handling performance in dry and wet weather conditions, and it also provides very comfortable and quiet ride! In addition, it’s great to know that the New Defender tires will last for a very long time with 80,000 miles warranty. I like the new tires very much and happy with the choice I made.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?4WWZQ2MCDTXO13602308630
Mar 21, 2024
Reviewer name: JJ
3 out of 5 stars
3 out of 5 stars review

Harsh ride

These new Defender 2 tires provide a very harsh ride. I feel every little road imperfection. Especially noticeable at very low speeds. Feels like the tire is thumping, as though out of round. They are not. Have had dealer check and redo balance twice, last time on a Hunter Road Force Balancer. Tires and wheels all check out within all vehicle and tire specs. No manufacturing defects were noted (i.e. broken or separated belts, etc.). Tires are structurally sound. Also, alignment is perfect. I've had five sets of the prior version of this tire on different cars, Defender T & H, and was very satisfied with the performance and comfort. Never received the advertised 90K miles on any of those tires - more like 45-50K. But did not care. They gave a good ride. These Defender 2's feel like they are inflated to 50 lb! Very hard ride. But, I'll get used to them I am sure.

Review from michelinman.com
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reply from Michelin US

JJ, sorry to read of your disappointment in the ride. We have several families of tires that are each optimized to meet specific needs, such as mileage, durability, performance, control and comfort. As a last resort, remember that as part of the Michelin Promise Plan, there is a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. Simply return to the selling retailer for the tires to be swapped out. Contact us at 866-866-6605 with any questions.

Sep 20, 2025
Reviewer name: XC’s
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Defender on Volvos

Installed the defender on our XC70 ‘04 & XC90 ‘08. So far no complaints. Balanced nicely. Good ride. Ran in heavy rain in the XC90 and liked the performance, by the way XC90 size 255/50 19 so on the wider size. I will not be running them in winter as have separate snows.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?4WWZQ2MCDTXO13602308630
Apr 12, 2024
Reviewer name: ex-Vauxhall
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Long trouble-free life

The best thing to say about Michelin tires is--there is nothing to say. No problems, no tracking issues. Last a long time on my Cavalier, Pontiac G5, and Cruze. I have been buying them since a set lasted 115,000 miles on a Rambler American, but have never achieved that lifespan since. However, they outlast Goodyears, Firestones and Pirellis on my other cars.

Review from michelinman.com
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Nov 27, 2024
Reviewer name: Up North
3 out of 5 stars
3 out of 5 stars review

Traction B???

I bought a set of four of the Defender 2 model earlier this month expecting them to be an improved version of my previous Michelin Defender tires. What I didn’t know until I got home and had a chance to look them over more closely was that the traction rating is “B,” unlike the previous model of tires which were rated “A” for traction. What a disappointment! Why would you have this mediocre traction design to the Defender 2, Michelin? My only other Michelin option for the size I need was the snow tire model, but I wanted year round, all season tires and that left the Defender 2 as the remaining choice. While it’s great to buy tires made in the USA, this traction B rating seems rather bush league coming from such a renowned manufacturer.

Review from michelinman.com
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reply from Consumer Care MIC US

Up North, The UTQG traction grade is a 40-year-old, locked-wheel wet braking test and is, in our estimation and in the estimation of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, a method that is outdated and inconsistent because all modern vehicles have anti-lock brakes. A braking test based on anti-lock brakes measuring peak adherence rather than slide adherence, which is better suited for today’s vehicle. Michelin has chosen to design tires based on anti-lock braking, not locked-wheel braking. This sometimes produces a lower locked-wheel result, even though our testing and independent testing used in claims show the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire to have superior wet braking over leading competitors. This question is an excellent one and highlights why regulation needs to be updated and/or eliminated as technology changes and improves. Our testing and independent testing show that consumers will be very pleased with the wet braking performance of the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire, not only in when the tire is new, but even as it wears.