Mini Jcw problems

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John Cooper Works (JCW) is a British car marque now owned by BMW and it is an in-house tuning, development, and international automotive racing division for Mini vehicles. It was founded in 2002 by Michael Cooper, son of John Cooper, the racing car maker and tuner responsible for the original Mini Cooper.

In 2007, German automaker BMW acquired the rights to the name, and it bought out the company in 2008.

JCW Tuning

Cooper

The first ever JCW kit was a 126 bhp (94 kW) upgrade for the Mini Cooper. The kit consisted of the following components:

  • Flowed and ported cylinder head
  • Air filter
  • Cover injection tube
  • Uprated exhaust (from the catalytic converter back)
  • Remapped ECU
  • Decorative emblems

Despite its price tag of over €2000, this kit only offered a power increase of 11 bhp (8.2 kW), a sportier exhaust note and a crisper throttle response. The main advantage was that these improvements, though fairly minor, could be made to the Cooper without jeopardizing the factory warranty. In 2004, JCW discontinued the Cooper kit and introduced a Sound Kit for the Cooper. The Sound Kit consisted of a unique air intake system, cat-back exhaust and an ECU remap.

photo of Mini Jcw car production

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Mini Jcw model years

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Jcw 2017
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Jcw 2011
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Common Mini Jcw problems

MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW) models, particularly those produced between 2009 and 2011, are known for several common issues. Here are some of the most frequently reported problems and their details:

  • Timing Chain: The timing chain in these models is designed to last for approximately 100,000 miles. However, many owners report needing to replace it between 50,000 and 80,000 miles due to wear and tear, especially if maintenance has been neglected. Signs of a failing timing chain include high-pitched tapping noises, rattling sounds on cold start-up, and a lack of power that disappears as the engine warms up. Replacing the timing chain can cost between £700 and £1,000 at an independent shop or dealership.
  • Bushes: MINI Cooper and JCW models are known for their handling capabilities, which can be compromised by worn-out bushes. These components are essential for maintaining a smooth ride and precise handling. If you notice uneven tire wear, a steering wheel that feels erratic, or excessive noise and vibration, it may be time to replace the bushes. Upgrading to aftermarket performance bushings, such as Powerflex, can improve handling and durability.
  • Cooling System: The cooling system, specifically the overflow tank, is prone to leaks in some MINI Cooper S and JCW models. The seam between the top and bottom of the tank can separate, causing coolant loss and potential overheating. Regularly checking the coolant level and replacing the overflow tank when necessary can prevent this issue.
  • Transmission: Automatic transmissions in some MINI Cooper models, particularly the CVT in base models and the 09G in Cooper S automatics, are known for their issues. CVT transmissions in base models can fail, making repairs extremely expensive and sometimes not worth the cost. Cooper S automatics with the 09G transmission can experience problems with valve body solenoids, which can be repaired with new solenoids or adjustments. Consulting a VW technician familiar with the 09G transmission can help resolve these issues.

These are some of the most common problems reported by MINI Cooper S and JCW owners. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or mitigate these issues. Potential buyers should be aware of these problems and consider them when purchasing a used MINI from this era.

Mini Jcw

Are JCW Minis reliable?

Reliability & safety

The MINI hatch scored reasonably well in our Driver Power 2021 customer satisfaction survey, taking 59th place out of the top 75 cars on sale. Buyers praised its driving experience, styling and infotainment. Unsurprisingly, the hatch didn't score well on practicality, thanks to its small boot.

What is the most common problem with a MINI Cooper?

Turbo failures are common due to high oil change intevals recommended by MINI. Don't go beyond 7500 with synthetic regardless of what MINI said or says. At one time they were recommending 15,000 oil changes and as a results tens of thousands of turbos failed due to crappy thin oil or NO oil.

Which mini to avoid?

Important Points to Know

The Mini Cooper Years To Avoid are 2001–2006, 2002–2008, 2007–2011, 2008–2010, and 2011–2016. Each troubled year had specific recurring issues such as power steering pump failures, transmission problems, timing chain tensioner failure, engine mount problems, and turbocharged engine issues.

Which Minis have timing chain issues?

The following BMW Mini Cooper models are affected by the timing chain recall:

  • Mini Cooper Hardtop 2007-2010.
  • Mini Cooper Clubman 2008-2010.
  • Mini Cooper Convertible 2009-2010.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Mini Jcw years

We have researched Mini problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Mini Jcw cars and compiled the top 3 most problematic Mini Jcw model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Mini Jcw model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Mini Jcw years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Mini Jcw car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Mini Jcw , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Mini Jcw vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Mini Jcw . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Mini Jcw vehicles.

List of Mini Jcw complaints

Mini Jcw 2017
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-01
  • Date Complaint: 2023-09-29
  • VIN: WMWXM9C5XHT
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: This car has the Steptronic automatic transmission. There is a mechanical actuator that moves when the transmission is placed in Park. Apparently an electronic circuit is completed telling the computer the car is in Park. There is a small spring on the actuator arm that moves it. If that spring breaks the arm does not move and the computer does not "sense" Park. A warning light and alarm go off "Secure vehicle from rolling". My online research indicated this is a fairly high failure item it both MINIs and BMWs. From the pictures I've seen of the actuator arm and spring this appears to be a very poor design. The repair runs anywhere from $2000 to $4000 depending on the dealer repair shop. I believe this item shoud be repaired as a Recall item!

Latest 5 recalls Mini Jcw

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the Mini Jcw.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Mini Jcw 2009
  • Report Received Date: 2023-05-11
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
  • Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
  • Model: Mini Jcw 2011
  • Report Received Date: 2023-05-11
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
  • Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
  • Model: Mini Jcw 2009
  • Report Received Date: 2018-04-18
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
  • Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
  • Model: Mini Jcw 2011
  • Report Received Date: 2018-04-18
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
  • Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
  • Model: Mini Jcw 2009
  • Report Received Date: 2012-01-11
  • Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
  • Summary: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW CONVERTIBLE, AND 2011 COOPER S COUNTRYMAN PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2011. THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT COOLS THE TURBOCHARGER HAS AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT.
  • Consequence: THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY SMOLDER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
  • Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

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