Midea recalled 1.7 million window ACs that grew mold — and called it minor

Midea's U and U+ Window Air Conditioners, sold under its own name and under private-label brands including Comfort Aire, Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Keystone, Mr. Cool and Perfect Aire, shipped with a drainage design that could fail to clear pooled water quickly enough. Standing water inside the unit grew mold that could be blown into the room.

The CPSC recalled about 1.7 million units on June 5, 2025, citing at least 152 consumer reports of mold buildup and at least 17 reports of people developing respiratory infections, allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing or sore throats from exposure. The units, in 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU sizes, had been sold at Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy and other retailers from March 2020 through May 2025.

Midea offered a free repair kit — a new drain plug and a bubble level to help owners level the unit correctly — or a full or prorated refund. In China, Midea told domestic media the recall was voluntary and that the product carried no design, material or manufacturing defect serious enough to affect performance or cause injury, and that its complaint rate was below 0.01%.