Midea Window Air Conditioner Lawsuit Alleges Mold Caused Severe Respiratory Issues

Nearly 2 million similar Midea U-shaped air conditioners were recalled in 2025 due to the collection of pooled water leading to mold growth.

A Minnesota woman is pursuing a product liability lawsuit alleging she suffered respiratory side effects caused by the accumulation of mold in a Midea U-shaped air conditioner.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Jessie Miller in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey on June 9. The lawsuit names Midea America Corp., GD Midea Air-Conditioning Equipment Co. Ltd. and Amazon.com Services LLC as defendants.

Miller alleges the Midea air conditioner has a product defect that allows water to pool in the unit, creating a perfect environment for mold to grow. She indicates the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the risk and how to avoid it.

Midea Air Conditioner Recall

The Midea U-shaped air conditioner is intended for installation in a window or wall opening to cool individual rooms. The U-shaped design allows the window to close through the center of the unit, helping to keep the compressor outside and reduce indoor noise.

In June 2025, Midea recalled 1.7 million A/C units due to mold growth problems caused by pooled water failing to drain quickly enough. The recall affected A/C units sold at major retailers, including Amazon, Home Depot and Costco.

Several air conditioner mold growth product liability lawsuits like Miller’s have been filed nationwide following the recall, with consumers claiming they suffered severe respiratory side effects, including infections and allergic reactions.

Just last month, a couple filed a complaint alleging they began suffering from debilitating respiratory symptoms after using a U-shaped Midea A/C unit with the same design defect that allowed for pooled water and mold growth. The number of lawsuits could continue to grow as more consumers discover there may be a link between their respiratory problems and the recalled air conditioners.

Midea Respiratory Issue Allegations

In the complaint, Miller indicates she purchased a Midea U-shaped A/C unit, model MAW12V1QWT, on June 13, 2023. The lawsuit states that after she began using the unit, mold began to grow within due to the design defect preventing the water from draining fast enough.

As a result, Miller was diagnosed with severe respiratory issues and required medical care. Miller indicates she suffered disability, mental anguish, embarrassment and humiliation, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. Her injuries are permanent or ongoing.

Two years later, on June 5, 2025, Midea issued the recall for nearly 2 million A/C units due to the risk of mold growth inside the unit.

Miller’s lawsuit alleges Midea and Amazon knew, or should have known, about the design defect. It also claims that the manufacturers failed to do enough to ensure that owners were aware of the recall or the defect, potentially leading to health problems and injuries that could have been avoided.

“Defendants, at all relevant times, knew or should have known of the problems and defects with the Midea A/C Unit, and the falsity and misleading nature of Defendants’ statements, representations and warranties with respect to the Midea A/C Unit. Defendants concealed and failed to notify Plaintiff and the public of such defects.”

— Jessie Miller v. Midea America Corp. et al.

The complaint raises claims of violation of the New Jersey Products Liability Act, defective design, failure to warn and breach of express warranty. Miller seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical care, pain and suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment of life and attorneys’ fees.

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