MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 11 (Nationwide Times) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard tools because their USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit and catch fire if they are charged while still inserted in the tool.
The recall covers tools sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com, the CPSC said. The affected products were sold from January through May 2026.
What products are included?
The recall covers a wide range of Kobalt yard equipment, including string trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, power cleaners and bristle brush kits. The batteries involved came in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah sizes and have a USB-C charging port.
Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools of Mooresville, North Carolina, imported the recalled products. The tools were manufactured in China and Vietnam.
Why are the batteries being recalled?
The problem is the charging setup, not the tools’ general use. The CPSC said charging the batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries remain installed in the yard tool can cause a short circuit. That can create a fire hazard.
Greenworks Tools said it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire while being charged in that way. No injuries or property damage had been reported in the recall notice.
What should owners do?
Consumers should stop charging the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the tools, the CPSC said.
Greenworks Tools is offering a free replacement battery without a USB-C port, along with a charger adapter, updated product manual, warning label and prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery.
Why this recall matters
Battery-powered yard tools are common because they are quieter and easier to use than gas models, but they still depend on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that need to be charged correctly. In this case, federal regulators said the charging method can create a fire risk when the battery stays in the tool.
Consumers who own Kobalt yard tools bought at Lowe’s during the affected period should check whether their batteries have a USB-C port and follow the recall instructions from Greenworks Tools and the CPSC.
