Defender2 TIRE REVIEW
There are 1016 reviews for the Defender2

Rating Snapshot
When asked, 93% of reviewers recommend this tire
Review Summary
The Michelin Defender 2 tires offer a mix of positive and negative attributes. Positives include excellent grip and handling, especially in wet and snowy conditions, a smooth and quiet ride, and long tread life and durability. However, some customers have reported decreased fuel efficiency, a rough and bumpy ride quality, and premature wear not meeting the warranty. Overall, the tires provide good traction and handling, but customers should be aware of the potential impact on fuel economy and ride quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
971-980 on 1016 reviews

Very noisy not pleased at all with these tires
I bought the defender2 tires at Costco 2 month ago this is not quiet ride very noisy on the highway a loud humming sound previously I had the ecopia422 tires and they were very quiet
Bruno, we're sorry to read you experienced a noise issue with the tires. I see that you have contacted our office for assistance. The first step is to have the tires inspected by an authorized retailer. As directed, please have the dealer call us with their findings while you are there.
Michelin North America, Inc.
January 11, 2024

Terrible
I bought these tires 4 years ago and experienced a blowout on the sidewall of this tire. Only 30K miles applied to the set of tires. As a life long customer, I've learned Michelin's shinning reputation is no longer what they used to be.
john512, sorry to read that you had a tire problem. A member of our team will be in touch to work with you and your local dealer. The first step is to get an inspection of the tire in question.
September 29, 2023

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.
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.
September 27, 2023

A mixed bag ...
Put these on my 2019 Honda Accord, 225/50/17. They Mileage actually increased by 1.5mpg, they are quiet, and ride decently. But, they have poor on center feel. The tires wander so much on the highway that it feels like the car is being blown around by wind. The tires are perfectly balanced, the car has perfect alignment, and pressures are right on 32psi. I'm guessing it is tread squirm. Regardless, it is fatiguing to drive due to the constant corrections required. The lane keep and assist feature of my car is MUCH busier trying to keep the car centered. The ride is generally smooth, especially over more rounded bumps. But on square edge, sharper bumps (like 1" high peaked cracks), there is a harsh spike transmitted to the cabin. Super weird. I'm also a little concerned about wet and snow traction in SE Michigan. Interestingly, the same tires on my wife's 17 CRV feel brilliant. We've had 6 sets of Defenders over the years, and they were always a great choice. I'm a former master mechanic, and have never considered returning tires before. I have 1 more week left on the 30 day trial period, and I'm not sure I'm going to keep them. May have to try Pirelli or Continental.
Roberto, thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're sorry to hear of your disappointment in the Defender2 tires. As part of the Michelin Promise, we do offer the satisfaction guarantee.
September 22, 2023

Keep psi at recommended
To the person’s who’s gas mileage went down, you have to put in the correct psi, 36! And you get the best mpg! I still get ~38 mpg highway and my car is a 2015 with 145,000 miles on it. 34-35 city but have to keep it at 36 psi

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)

They are everything promised and more

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

Bruyant
Je viens d'acheter ces pneu et il sont plus bruyant que mes pneu d'hiver
Yves, nous sommes désolés de savoir que vous rencontrez un problème de bruit avec les pneus Defender2. N'oubliez pas que, dans le cadre du Plan Promesse Michelin, les pneus bénéficient d'une garantie de satisfaction de 60 jours. Il vous suffit de retourner chez le revendeur pour que les pneus soient remplacés. . Demandez au revendeur de nous contacter pour toute question.
August 15, 2023

.
Smooth and quiet ride. The car still handles like it was new.