Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 255/65R18 111H Tire forMichelin Defender2 - 255/65R18 111H Tire
Most helpful positive review
5 out of 5 stars review
Replaced original equipment tirres on our Subaru Outback. These tires were recommended by our service people and I think they gave us good information. They seem to ride smoother and quieter than original tires and if the expected treadwear is as we were informed we will be extremely happy with them. I feel that they are a great tire for the price.
Rugman
Originally posted on
michelinman.com
Most helpful negative review
1 out of 5 stars review
Verified Purchase
New tire balance
Frankie lee
1,076 reviews
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- 5 out of 5 stars review2/15/2026Cannot comment on wear or durability because the tires are brand new. So far the the grip and traction are great. I will need to give a review later for wet and snow in my area.so far only dry roads.
New Tires
JohnOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 5 out of 5 stars review2/21/2026These are true all-weather tires. Excellent traction for their first winter driving on ice and snow. If they live up to their expected life--80k miles, they'll be a great value
Can't do better than Michelin tires
ChiTraderOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 4 out of 5 stars review2/3/2026I like my new tires, but one of them is leaking, belle tire service can’t find cause, they sealed but few days since then I still notice less PSI than in other 3 tires.
Good tires
UrszulaOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 2 out of 5 stars review12/2/2025Just bought these tires for my VW Atlas because they have been great on my wife’s car, but have been disappointed with how they ride. I expected a smooth ride but you can feel every bump in the road throughout the car. At first thought the tires were not balanced, but went back to the shop and they checked to confirm the tires were balanced. I would by again for my wife’s car but not my VW.
Rides rough
P2410Originally posted onmichelinman.comConsumer Care MIC USWe’re sorry to hear the ride hasn’t met your expectations on your VW Atlas. Keep in mind your tires comes with the Michelin P... - 1 out of 5 stars review10/25/2025Made the mistake of purchasing these for my Lexus LS430. it feels like Im riding on sponges, I cannot feel the road and cornering is terrible, it feels like the car is sliding or swaying. I am going to call the tire shop to let them know i cant handle this and what can we do. hopefully if they dont do something michelin will.
Maybe good but not for me
Victor MOriginally posted onmichelinman.comConsumer Care MIC USVictor, thank you for sharing your experience with the Defender 2 tires. We’re sorry to hear that the ride and handling haven... - 3 out of 5 stars review12/5/2025Nice at first, but every time I rotate they handle poorly. They seem to overinflate after driving on the highway and are atrocious, worse after about 30000 miles. I would throw these on a minivan, not an Avalon. If you don't care about ride quality or handling these are your tires.
Not recommended for Toyota Avalon Limited 2005
rgbsaxOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 1 out of 5 stars review10/2/2025Worst tires I have ever owned. I drive a 2015 Honda Odyssey and the Defender 2 makes this car almost indriveable in wet weather. In the rain or on wet pavement from a stop sign there is tire slippage and if I am turning from a stop sign the tires slip to the point that the traction light turns on (I am being very gentle on the throttle). Merging from a turn causes the van to slide and momentarily lose traction. I have had the tires store where I bought these look at them on 2 occasions and nothing visibly wrong with the tire, and I have had repair shops check out the van, and it is fine. I am going into my 3rd winter with these tires and every wet season they have been terrible. Stay away from these tires, especially if you own a 2011...
Terrible wet weather tire
aca2414Originally posted onmichelinman.comConsumer Care MIC USWe’re sorry to hear about the traction issues you’ve encountered in wet conditions. Safety and performance are our top prior... - 4 out of 5 stars review12/7/2025I upgraded to Defender2 tires and and happy so far. Ride is not only more quiet but is also smoother. A little better on gas mileage. Design seems good for my area of usage, construction and materials so far are holding up well, I have had them rotated once. They were more expensive than other choices but so far worth it. I was eligible for a discount given as a gift card and am not as satisfied with that option because I was only able to use it for the exact amount issued. This is almost impossible to do so I will have to leave a small amount left on the gift card. Michelin needs to change this to allow customers to use all of the discount given on the card.
Good tires
JenCOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 2 out of 5 stars review12/22/2025I switched the Yokohama YK-GTX for Michelin Defender 2 tires. The Yokos were stiff, jolted over road holes/bumps, responsive steering, but were nice & quiet. Wanted a smooth, quiet ride, that handled curves smoothly and that absorbed holes and bumps on roads and the freeway like my previous Michelins did. The Defender 2 tires are horrible. My car feels like a Tilt-a-Whirl, unstable, squirrely, and they are not quiet, mostly smooth, but the steering needs second-to-second monitoring and concentration. My last Michelins were outstanding and outlasted their warranty, just stated cracking in the Arizona summer heat. They were smooth, quiet, absorbing and steered wonderfully. So disappointed, paid much more for the Michelins and now I feel stuck...
Michelin Defender 2's - Worst tires I've had
LaLaJewelOriginally posted onmichelinman.comConsumer Care MIC USThank you for your feedback. We're sorry these tires haven't met expectations. We recommend having an authorized dealer inspe... - 4 out of 5 stars review11/17/2025I had Michelin pilot sport tires on my 2018 Camry and loved them in every aspect . But didn't last very long. I replaced them with the Defender 2 and not real impressed. They handle well decent on wet roads(haven't driven in snow yet) but I think to me they are noisy compared to the pilot sport tire. Had them for 7000 miles now, would I buy again not sure at this point. I really liked the pilot sport better all around.
Ok but not perfect
Bobby JOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 1 out of 5 stars review10/24/2025These tires are absolute garbage in the rain after 3 months. Whatever changed from previous defenders they should go back to. I tried with 90+ percent treadwear to have them warrantied and the credit offered was insulting. I have used defenders for ages but Michelin has lost me as a customer for life. Bas bad as the OE Hankook tires in civics. Never again. Premium price for awful wet performance.
Terrible rain performance
BobbyOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 5 out of 5 stars review11/5/2025After having great performance and wear from my previous Defender tires I went with the Defender 2 tires this time. The original Defender tires still had another 10,000 miles of summer driving left on them but living here in Montana I need that deep tread depth for the winter. driving conditions here. I'm sure that these Defender 2 will be as good as or better than the original Defender tires.
Defender 2 as good as the original.
Montana ManOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 5 out of 5 stars review1/10/2026I've heard others brag on their new tires, and wondered why they were so excited....that is, until I bought Michelin Defenders for my 2010 Lexus RX350! Having tried the best of many other brands, I must now affirm that nothing--NOTHING-- rides, wears, handles or performs like Michelin! They are more quiet, more sure-footed, particularly in compromising conditions, better wearings, and provide a better ride than any tire I have ever used. FIVE STARS for Michelin...all the way!
Only the Best!
TCSOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 4 out of 5 stars review9/22/2025Great 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.
Excellent smooth running, great steering and handling but susceptible to pavement ripple noise.
MichaelOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 5 out of 5 stars review9/21/2025I would not drive my car without Michelin Tires (and I have two Cars) since I purchased the car new in 2006. I have all ways purchased the best tire they make for my cars and have had nothing but the best ride and performance I could get from tires. Never had a tire that was defective and I have outstanding mileage performance from the Michelin Brand.
Outstanding Performance
BigFryOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 5 out of 5 stars review12/10/2025Factory tires had worn and was time to replace. Did lots of research before buying and these seemed to fit my needs (Quit, smooth ride with a good tread life.) The Defender 2 has not disappointed. Minimal, if any road noise, smooth ride and excellent grip in rain and snow. You get what you pay for and in this case, these were a bit more than others, but well worth the money spent.
Excellent Tores. Well worth the money
RacerXOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 2 out of 5 stars review11/21/2025Bought a set of tires for My Honda Pilot exactly a year ago and the tires are not good! When is wet or damp the traction is horrible, almost had an accident because tires kept spinning luckily nothing happened but I thought this tires were supposed to be good in wet conditions. Went to the place I bought them and they took them back but had to pay the difference for a different set of tires, NOT Michelin! So disappointed!
So disappointed
Not MichOriginally posted onmichelinman.comConsumer Care MIC USWe’re sorry to hear about your experience with the Defender 2 tires. Safety is our top priority, and we understand your conce... - 4 out of 5 stars review12/29/2025Tires are great but the rebate process is a nightmare. Could you possibly make it any more difficult to attach the receipt image? Really? Why not give an instant rebate at time of purchase? Only one reason I can think of, Michelin is hoping for leakage. Not a great customer experience.
Great tires - but rebate process pain.
PhilOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 5 out of 5 stars review12/3/2025Now experiencing a renewed feeling of being connected to the road due to the responsive Defender 2 design. Whether on hot Florida pavement or downpour drenched roadways, movement is nimble while braking is smooth and confident. And, quiet, a noticeable difference over even the replaced premium brand. Michelin research and development continues to miraculously improve over the original Defender. With proper maintenance tread life will hopefully be achieved as well. And was it mentioned that these tires are quiet!
Michelin Keeps It's Promises
JoniOriginally posted onmichelinman.com - 5 out of 5 stars review11/2/2025Despite having nearly 50k miles on my truck, after my new Michelin Defender2 tires were installed, it felt like I was driving a new vehicle. I was so pleasantly surprised I had to let someone know so I texted (using CarPlay of course) my wife and a friend.
Incredible ride
TB02Originally posted onmichelinman.com