MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 11 (Nationwide Times) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools after reports that the tools’ USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries could short-circuit and catch fire when charged while still inserted in the tool.
The recall affects Kobalt-branded yard equipment sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026, according to the CPSC. The importer, Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools of Mooresville, North Carolina, is handling the recall remedy.
What products are included?
The recall covers a range of Kobalt yard tools, including:
- string trimmers
- leaf blowers
- lawn mowers
- chainsaws
- pruning saws
- power cleaners
- bristle brush kits
The affected batteries were sold in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah versions and include a USB-C charging port, the CPSC said. The tools and batteries were manufactured in China and Vietnam.
Why are they being recalled?
According to the CPSC, charging the lithium-ion batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the yard tools can cause the batteries to short-circuit. That creates a fire hazard.
Greenworks Tools said it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire in that scenario. No injuries or property damage had been reported in the CPSC notice.
What should owners do now?
Consumers should stop charging the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries remain in the tools. Greenworks Tools is offering a free replacement battery without a USB-C port, along with a charger adapter, an updated product manual, a warning label and a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery.
The CPSC recall number is 26-611.
Why this recall matters
USB-C is a common charging connection on phones, laptops and other devices, but the CPSC says the way it is being used in these Kobalt batteries can create a fire risk when the battery is charged inside the tool. For owners, the key issue is not the brand name alone, but the charging method: the batteries should not be charged through the USB-C port while installed in the recalled equipment.
Anyone who bought a recalled Kobalt tool at Lowe’s during the listed sales period should check the model and battery type and follow the recall instructions from Greenworks Tools and the CPSC.