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Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 215/65R16 98H Tire for
Michelin Defender2 - 215/65R16 98H Tire
4.7 out of 5 stars
stars915 ratings910 reviews
  1. 5 stars84% (771)
  2. 4 stars8% (74)
  3. 3 stars3% (27)
  4. 2 stars2% (17)
  5. 1 star3% (26)
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Showing 381-390 of 910 reviews
Apr 26, 2025
505
5 out of 5 stars review

Picked out for Mom

Reviewed everything I could to make sure mom is set up on something safe. Car O.E tires where Continental Contipro Touring. And they were wonderful but seems like these Michelin Defender 2 tired are going to take the Cake! Especially on the roads she's on. They gotta handle well in rain and snow definitely Michelin does both well. Hope the 80k hold up. The Tred is very thick and built well. Good for dirt roads as well. Very responsive on hiway. Thanks Michelin, for keeping mom safe!

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
Sep 12, 2022
Joseph
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?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
Jan 19, 2023
Anonymous
1 out of 5 stars review

Have a great trip

Bought them like a months ago not sure what to make of them not an expert on rubber, travel with them across the nation road condition not that good pot holes and falling trees uneven road. Driving 12:39 am Middle of the desert rear back left tire a screw about 3/16 size got into it dash light of low air light up, luckily a service station with in a mile patch the tire and keep on driving. Not sure how much is the damage on the front tires with all the pot holes got into it. We do not need a team of experts to judge the tires. No concerns about the performance of the tires it’s great but what kills the tires is the composition what is made off more resistance to all the crazy elements on the road . I don’t care if you have to put particles of airplanes tires just do it make long lasting tire, Now I have to go the front counter of the retailer , which I hate this process. Theirs no time for star rating. No problem , I would talk to your research team and engineering and the president of tired company. Hope no other family goes to the same vacation trip, what profanity ?

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
reply from Consumer Care MIC US

We are sorry to read of your disappointment in the Defender2. Remember, as part of the Michelin Promise Plan, there is a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. Simply return to the selling retailer to have the tires swapped out.

May 14, 2025
amybsw
5 out of 5 stars review

Good Quality

I used this tire on my '09 Honda Accord for years. The last set lasted 6+ years. I average 11,000-13,000 miles a year. Wore great and evenly with regular rotations and alignments. Now I'm getting them for my '18 Accord. I really like the quality of this tire.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
Feb 23, 2023
Xian
5 out of 5 stars review

Best tires on the market.

I've purchased several tires in the defender range, normally lt or ltx but these are my first defender 2's, I can't tell you how impressed I am. smooth, quiet, and my fuel mileage increased over the stock tires. I like michelens because of the full depth siping, the tiny cuts in the tread where all the traction really comes from.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
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?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
Mar 21, 2024
JJ
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?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
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 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?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
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.

Feb 5, 2025
Abraham Cortina
2 out of 5 stars review

Bad tires for wet

When I was on a road trip it started to rain and out of nowhere I skidded around several times as if nothing had happened. Luckily I didn't cause an accident. Since then I realized that it's very easy to skid when it's wet. Now I'm afraid of having an accident when the pavement is wet.

Review from michelinman.com
Helpful?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
reply from Consumer Care MIC US

AC, we are sorry to read of this complaint with regard to wet traction. We would suggest to take the vehicle back to the selling tire dealer for an inspection of the tires. Upon inspection, give us a call at 866-866-6605 8am-5pm EST Mon-Fri.

Nov 27, 2024
Up North
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
Helpful?1AA88BH96CGJ13810614045
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.