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Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 235/50R18 97H Tire for
Michelin Defender2 - 235/50R18 97H Tire
4.7 out of 5 stars
stars919 ratings915 reviews
  1. 5 stars84% (772)
  2. 4 stars8% (75)
  3. 3 stars3% (28)
  4. 2 stars2% (17)
  5. 1 star3% (27)

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Showing 401-410 of 915 reviews
Aug 23, 2023
Rav4 Prime
1 out of 5 stars review

Defender2 has poor traction

The Defender2 tires were a safety problem for my Rav4 Prime SE. The cars ABS periodically began to engage shortly after the Defender2 was mounted. Reference Michelin case numbers 03727059, 03673882 and others. I cannot recall the ABS ever engaging with the OEM tire (not Michelin) nor since replacing the Defender2 with Michelin Primacy Tour A/S tires. I've now had the Primacy Tour A/S tires mounted for nearly a thousand miles, no ABS engagements or dashboard warnings, I am happy with the Primacy Tour, but the Defender2 seems defective to me. The Defender2 would easily skid on dry roads, hence the ABS, dash lights and warning sounds from the car. First time I have ever used the "Michelin Promise Plan of a 60-day satisfaction guarantee", and am glad Michelin stood behind their product. Note that I did bring the car to a Toyota repair facility, who inspected the car and found it functioning properly. The dealer pointed out the Defender2 only had a B traction rating on the sidewall, suggesting the Defender2 was not a high traction tire and likely the culprit for the ABS activating. Thank you Michelin for standing behind your product and satisfaction guarantee. However, I feel the Defender2 is a bad product, at least for my Rav4 Prime SE. One last note, I tried to contact Michelin after the tires were replaced, to find out if they tested the Defender2 tires that came off my car. I was not successful in getting information. If someone at Michelin can contact me with any failure analysis, I would like to learn what was found. I hope the problem was isolated to the tires I had, not to all Defender2 tires

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
Aug 27, 2024
Smitty
5 out of 5 stars review

Top Quality Tire

Installed new Defender 2 mid April 2024. Very pleased with the handling when driving are 2015 Elantra. Notice a big difference in wet conditions. Like driving a different vehicle. Very pleased with the performance of this top notch tires. Definitely good value for the buck. Highly recommended.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
Aug 25, 2024
Anonymous
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?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
Jan 6, 2024
Thenepkp
5 out of 5 stars review

Amazing quiet and comfortable ride with better handling than the original equipment

I am so happy to get four new Michelin Defender 2 tires for my 2018 Toyota Corolla LE. I was considering the Cross Climate 2 but I glad I got the Defenders instead. It rides better than new and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 that came with the car were amazing and lasted 75000 miles and were still legal. The steering response is better than ever and the ride and directional stability are improved and very quiet. I highly recommend these to Corolla owners, because they are a perfect match. They go and go and go just like the Toyota cars

Review from michelinman.com
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Apr 10, 2024
Willy
4 out of 5 stars review

Thumbs up Michelin with the Defender 2

I bought the Michelin Defender 2 with a $100 rebate in March 2023. Changed over to Michelin X-Ice for the winter. I highly recommend the Defender 2. It handled well and is very quiet. I've just changed back from the X-Ice to the Defender 2 so this will be my second summer on these tires. I'm sure they will be great all spring, summer and fall.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
May 6, 2025
BillTrekker
5 out of 5 stars review

Smooth and quiet

These tires have changed the way my 25 Crosstrek drives. I love how smooth and quiet my ride is now. Have not had a chance to test on wet roads yet. But I would certainly recommend these tires. I have always gone with Michelin on all of my vehicles and the Defender 2 did not disappoint.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
Nov 10, 2023
Bigbob203
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?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
Apr 2, 2024
Defender Defender
5 out of 5 stars review

Best tires I've ever owned!

These are the best tires I've ever had in my life and it isn't even close! They are 80,000-mile tires and I have 80,000 miles on them. I'll be replacing them with the exact same tire shortly, just waiting for a day off work. I'm really in no hurry, the tires look like I could still squeeze another 5,000 miles out of them. I originally bought them because I was told they are very smooth and quiet, the complete opposite of the stock tires on my Rav4. They were correct, these tires make my SUV drive like a luxury sedan. I'm a frugal guy and these tires are well worth the investment.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
Sep 25, 2023
Bill310
1 out of 5 stars review

Bad Tramlining

I recently purchased these to replace my set of 70,000 mi Energi that came on my car from the OEM. First thoughts of the Defender were good until I had to drive on the highway. The amount of groove wander I have with these tires is alarming. In fact so alarming, I had to stop driving on the highway because I thought a wheel was loose. I took the car to the dealer where they had it for three days trying to figure what I was complaining about. I think they are a good tire just not suited for my Fusion.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945
reply from Consumer Care MIC US

Bill310, we're sorry to read that you are dissatisfied with the Defender2. Remember, as part of the Michelin Promise Plan, the tires have a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. Simply return to the selling retailer for the tires to be swapped out. One of our agents will be in touch to discuss options for your vehicle.

Oct 20, 2024
PriusFiveDude
5 out of 5 stars review

Love these tires: good wet and dry traction, low noise

I bought Defender 2 tires for my 2014 Prius Five four weeks and 450 miles ago. I am thoroughly happy with the choice. These replaced some Continental SureContact units that had been scrubbed about a bit because of poor alightment. The dry traction of the Defender 2 is outstanding. I’ve had some opportunity to drive in wet conditions and the traction and braking is similarly impressive. Wet performance and noise characteristics were the primary drivers for my choice of this tire. Given that the Prius is a not well insulated car as the engineers wanted to keep the weight down, I am really impressed at how little tire noise gets into the cabin. That alone argues to put these things on my massive 2003 4,000-lb-plus Jaguar which will need new tires in the spring. The Prius’s mileage has dropped a little, but I really bought the car because it had cutting edge safety technology and I’m getting older. So trading a little drop in mileage for great dry/wet traction, exceptional handling and a low noise factor is just no biggie. As these wear a bit I would expect the mileage to slowly rise some. And at my age (75) and the amount I drive (~6000 a year) these tires should be just broken in by the time I trade the Prius in on what will likely be my last car.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?20FJG8VXW1OP13740012945