Amana Air Conditioners Linked To Defective Capacitors, Lawsuit Claims

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Amana air conditioning units, made by Daikin Comfort Technologies and Goodman Company, contain defective capacitors that cause repeated breakdowns, leaving consumers with costly repairs and inadequate cooling.

Consumers Affected: U.S. homeowners and service providers who purchased or worked with Amana AC units that failed due to faulty capacitors.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware

Amana-brand air conditioning units contain defective parts that leave households sweltering instead of cool, raising the fire of consumers who spent money buying and trying to repair them, a new lawsuit claims.

Daikin Comfort Technologies and Goodman Company, L.P., two major HVAC companies, are facing a class action lawsuit over claims that their Amana-brand air conditioning units contain defective parts that leave households sweltering instead of cool. The lawsuit claims faulty capacitors, critical components that help AC units start up and keep running, are to blame. 

Consumers And Service Companies Report Widespread Breakdowns

The lawsuit was filed by Oklahoma resident Aaron Cissell along with Texas-based Big State Air Conditioning and Heating Company. Cissell says the Amana units he purchased in 2021 repeatedly shut down, required multiple service visits, and ultimately suffered catastrophic compressor failures that cost him thousands in repairs.

Big State, which services Amana units, claims it has dealt with the same issue in roughly 100 customer systems. The company alleges Amana repeatedly replaced failed capacitors with equally defective ones, forcing Big State to eat into its profits by swapping them out for more reliable, American-made parts to avoid customer backlash. The lawsuit says the defect not only undermines the entire system but also drains customers’ wallets with repeated repair costs.

Lawsuit Explains How Defective Capacitors Undermine Cooling Systems

Air conditioners rely on capacitors, small devices that store and release electrical energy, to power up and keep compressors and fans running smoothly. According to the complaint, Amana’s capacitors use substandard dielectric oil that overheats and breaks down under normal conditions. This weakens the capacitor until it can no longer hold a charge, leaving the AC unable to produce cold air.

Signs of failure include units that won’t start, sudden shutdowns, humming noises, and soaring energy bills. Because capacitors are high-voltage devices, consumers can’t safely repair them on their own, leaving professional service as the only option. The lawsuit argues this turns what should be durable, long-lasting products into costly liabilities.

Other Appliance Brands Also Facing Lawsuits Over Product Defects

Amana isn’t the only brand in hot water. Nearly 2 million Midea window air conditioners were recalled after reports of mold contamination raised respiratory health concerns. But according to a lawsuit the company’s recall process is so burdensome that many consumers won’t bother to seek refunds or repairs. The lawsuit argues Midea prioritized minimizing financial liability over protecting customer safety, even after acknowledging serious health risks.

Refrigerator makers are also facing mounting scrutiny. A Texas consumer filed a class action lawsuit alleging Kenmore-branded fridges sold by Transform SR LLC came with defective compressors that stop cooling prematurely, leaving food to spoil. 

GE was also sued in April over similar compressor issues in certain refrigerator models, while Whirlpool faces claims tied to wiring failures that pose potential safety hazards.

Meanwhile, more than 100 consumers have joined forces in a class action lawsuit against LG and Kenmore, alleging that their refrigerators’ linear compressors fail far earlier than the advertised 20-year lifespan, despite carrying a 10-year warranty. 

Cissell and Big State want to represent all U.S. consumers who purchased Amana HVAC units. They’re suing to recover repair costs, damages for lost value, and to stop Amana from selling units they say can’t stand the heat.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Cissell, et al. v. Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc., et al.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-00980-UNA
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Joseph G. Sauder, Matthew D. Schelkopf, and Joseph B. Kenney (Sauder Schelkopf LLC)
• Michael J. Farnan, Brian E. Farnan, and Michael J. Farnan (Farnan LLP)

Have you dealt with breakdowns or repair issues in your Amana AC unit or another HVAC brand? Share your experience in the comments below.