Mold-infested air conditioners from Midea have infected over 150 homes, with 17 Americans already suffering respiratory infections from the faulty units now subject to one of the largest appliance recalls in recent history.
Key Takeaways
- Midea is recalling 1.7 million window air conditioners in the U.S. and 45,900 in Canada due to drainage issues causing dangerous mold growth
- Affected units were sold under 10 different brand names between March 2020 and May 2025, including popular brands like Frigidaire and Insignia
- Consumers have reported 152 mold cases with 17 incidents of health problems including respiratory infections and allergic reactions
- Owners can choose between free repair options or a prorated refund through Midea’s recall website
- The faulty air conditioners were sold at major retailers including Costco, Home Depot, Walmart, and Amazon
Massive Recall Affects Popular Air Conditioner Models
Midea has announced a sweeping recall of approximately 1.7 million window air conditioners due to a serious defect causing mold growth that poses significant health risks to American consumers. The recall specifically targets Midea’s U and U+ window air conditioner models sold between March 2020 and May 2025, which suffer from drainage issues that allow water to pool inside the units. The affected air conditioners were sold under multiple brand names including Midea, Comfort Aire, Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Keystone, LBG Products, Mr. Cool, Perfect Aire, and Sea Breeze at major retailers nationwide.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) officially announced the recall on June 5, noting that these units have a design flaw that prevents proper drainage. This creates an environment conducive to mold growth, which can then be circulated into homes. The affected units are white, measuring approximately 22 inches wide, 13½ inches tall, and 19 inches deep, and were sold in three sizes: 8,000 BTU, 10,000 BTU, and 12,000 BTU. Consumers who own these models should immediately check if their unit is included in the recall by visiting Midea’s dedicated recall website.
A recall has been issued for about 1.7 million window air conditioners sold under 10 different brand names due to reports of mold buildup resulting from improper water drainage, which could lead to respiratory issues. https://t.co/5h9dtOv60u
— NBC10 Boston (@NBC10Boston) June 8, 2025
Health Concerns Drive Urgent Response
The recall was prompted after Midea received 152 reports of mold formation in these air conditioners, with 17 consumers reporting health effects including “respiratory infections, allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing and/or sore throats from mold exposure,” according to the CPSC. Mold exposure can cause serious health complications, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions, compromised immune systems, or allergies. These health risks represent yet another burden on American families already struggling with rising healthcare costs under the current economic conditions.
“THE INTERNET’S FAVORITE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN RECALLED,”said Emily Long at Lifehacker, highlighting how widely these units had been adopted across American homes.
“Pooled water in the air conditioners can fail to drain quickly enough,” according to the CPSC, creating conditions where mold can thrive and subsequently be distributed throughout homes. This design flaw affects models that were heavily marketed and sold through popular retailers including Costco, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon, reaching millions of American households during a period when many people were upgrading their home environments due to increased time spent at home.
Remedy Options for Affected Consumers
Midea is offering affected consumers two remedy options: repair or refund. For the repair option, consumers can either receive a DIY repair kit with a new drain plug or schedule an in-home service appointment with a technician. These repair solutions are designed to fix the drainage issue and prevent future mold growth. Customers who prefer a refund will receive a prorated amount based on the age and model of their unit, but will need to either return the unit using a pre-paid shipping label or provide proof that they’ve disabled it by cutting the power cord.
“Respiratory infections, allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing and/or sore throats from mold exposure,” according to the CPSC, highlighting the seriousness of this recall.
Consumers looking to verify if their unit is affected can visit Midea’s recall website or contact the company directly. The verification process requires the unit’s serial number and brand name. Once validated, consumers can select their preferred remedy option. For those choosing the refund route, the company advises that processing may take 3-4 weeks after submission. This significant recall highlights ongoing quality control issues with imported appliances that continue to affect American consumers while domestic manufacturing has been steadily reduced over decades.
