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 sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com because certain USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit if they are charged through the USB-C port while still inserted in the tool.
The recall is a warning about how the batteries are charged, not about normal use of the tools. USB-C is a common charging connector used on many devices, but in this case the CPSC says charging the battery that way while it remains in the yard tool can create a fire hazard.
What products are covered?
The recall covers a range of Kobalt yard tools, including string trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, power cleaners and bristle brush kits.
The affected batteries came in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah sizes. Ah, short for amp-hours, is a measure of battery capacity. The batteries have a USB-C charging port.
The recalled products were imported by Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools, of Mooresville, North Carolina. The products were manufactured in China and Vietnam and were sold from January through May 2026.
Why is there a recall?
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 can lead to smoking, sparking or fire.
Greenworks Tools said it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire in that situation. No injuries or property damage were 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. Greenworks Tools says owners can contact the company for a free replacement battery without a USB-C port, 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.
For owners of Kobalt yard equipment, the key step is to check whether the battery has a USB-C charging port and, if it does, to stop using that charging method until the replacement is in place.
