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Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 235/50R17 96H Tire for
Michelin Defender2 - 235/50R17 96H Tire
4.7 out of 5 stars
stars
1,051 ratings1,043 reviews
  1. 5 stars85% (889)
  2. 4 stars8% (83)
  3. 3 stars3% (30)
  4. 2 stars2% (20)
  5. 1 star3% (29)
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Showing 351-360 of 1,043 reviews
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
Helpful?6FL3JYW3TZAB13728511735
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.

Aug 25, 2024
Reviewer name: Frank W
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Worth the Extra Money!

When we bought our new 2024 Subaru Forester it came with unacceptable tires which I insisted that the dealer replace with a set of Michelin Defenders. I had researched all tire offerings for this vehicle and these proved to be the highest-rated and best value and they have not disappointed me in any way. Premium rubber for a competitive price is always a great value. That your life and the lives of your family are at stake makes the decision an easy one. As we also roll on Michelin X-Ice 3s in the winter means that we will be covered for years to come!

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?6FL3JYW3TZAB13728511735
May 9, 2024
Reviewer name: Harp
3 out of 5 stars
3 out of 5 stars review

Not up to my Expectation

I installed these tires on Mazda CX 9 2021, less than a month ago, after reading positive reviews about these tires. Disappointed, brand new tires, thumping noise at 100km/hr plus speed .Tire shop recheked it, balance it again, its better, but not the same smoothness as OEM tires Falken Ziex Ct 50. ires, balanced it again. I won't buy or recommend. Wish, could replace it with continental extreme contact.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?6FL3JYW3TZAB13728511735
Feb 5, 2025
Reviewer name: Rock crawler
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Bring back the OLD Defender MS

I’m a 58 year old man and I drive commercially about 100,000 miles a year between two half ton trucks and one 3500 one ton truck, Ram and Ford. I have tried many different tire manufacturers from Bridgestone, Toyo, BFG and Goodyear to name a few, I always seem to come back to Michelin Tires. I know many of you are going to say there too expensive but, when you drive the interstate system threw out the USA I want something quite and comfortable and dependable. I was very sorry to here that Michelin was phasing out this tire, I have currently on the Ram a set of defender M/S 2 which are louder at 75 mph by 15% and rougher riding by about 20% over the plain Defender M/S. I fully believe these are the best tires for driving the interstate system by far. Michelin needs to bring back this tire and increase the load range by 200lbs each to reach the manufacturer’s who suggest a rating of 118H on their trucks instead of the old 112T rating.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?6FL3JYW3TZAB13728511735
Jun 5, 2024
Reviewer name: DGB47
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Liked this brand so much I bought it again

I bought these tires based upon the rating they received from Consumer Reports Magazine and my own personal experience with Michelin tires. The tires give a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride on my 2006 Toyota Avalon. They are replacing a set of Michelin Premier All Season tires.

Review from michelinman.com
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Jul 19, 2024
Reviewer name: willjax2
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Smooth ride, great handeling

I purchased a set of these to replace a set of General AltMAX RT 43's. Boy, what a world of difference. Much quieter, and smoother ride. Handeling was noticeably quicker response. These tires really hug the road. Have driven on multiple road surfaces and they grip well in all terrain.

Review from michelinman.com
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Sep 18, 2025
Reviewer name: GXEJoe
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars review

Mazda CX-5

Great tires that grip better than any All Season I’ve ever owned. Wet (rain) or dry pavement, these tires hug the road like the best of them. I’d give them 5 stars, except I find them to be a little louder past 70km/h than I’d like… they have a slight buzz depending on the speed at which you’re rolling which gets higher pitched and louder the faster you go. I stalled on a 2021 Mazda CX-5.

Review from michelinman.com
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Sep 22, 2025
Reviewer name: Michael
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars review

Excellent smooth running, great steering and handling but susceptible to pavement ripple noise.

Great tire, absolutely 0 smooth-road noise, but I notice a reactionary thump over a certain type of road ripple, most likely due to the fact that the suspension was tuned for the Yokohamas that my van was designed with. I chose Michelin for their legendary safety record and I also lucked in to a tire with a long tread life. The original Avid tires had worn to a concerning tread depth at only 56 000 KM.

Review from michelinman.com
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Aug 19, 2024
Reviewer name: Matthew
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Excellent handling and quiet

With only 10,500 miles on our 2024 Honda CRV Sport Touring AWD Hybrid, we picked up a nail in a non-repairable spot (I spent 25+ years in automotive repair and tires so I know when I have to replace and not repair). Unfortunately it was going to take about a week to ge the same exact Michelin tire to replace this one, but my daughter has to leave to go back to college in the early morning. The option was to buy another set of tires and keep the 3 good ones. So that is what we did. The Michelin Defender 2 is a great tire with an 80,000 mile life expectancy. It handles well and provides a nice smooth and quiet ride. If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is a noisy ride on my car (looking in the direction of other major tire brands that sponsors variations of auto races and monster trucks). Back to these specific tires though, the handling is great and my daughter that drives this car even mentioned that she likes these tires better than the orignial ones that came on the car. The tires are responsive and flex the way they should to provide a smooth and quiet drive. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an excellent tire.

Review from michelinman.com
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Nov 10, 2023
Reviewer name: Bigbob203
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Using Only Michelins

I have used Michelin's on all my vehicles for many years. When I bought my 2014 Durango, it came with another brand. After 20,000 miles or so they were wearing. Michelins have been on it ever since and I not have almost 50,000 on them and not near wear points yet. Great traction in wet weather, low noise, and smooth ride. What not to like.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?6FL3JYW3TZAB13728511735