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 after warning that certain USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit and pose a fire hazard when charged while still inside the tool.
The recall affects a wide range of 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.
What is the problem?
According to the CPSC, the hazard comes from charging the recalled batteries through their USB-C port while the batteries remain inserted in the yard tool. In that setup, the battery can short-circuit. A short-circuit means electricity moves through an unintended path, which can cause heat buildup and, in this case, create a fire risk.
Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools, of Mooresville, North Carolina, imported the recalled products. The CPSC said the tools were manufactured in China and Vietnam.
Which products are affected?
The recalled Kobalt yard tools were sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026, the CPSC said. The recall covers Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools paired with the USB-C rechargeable batteries.
If a tool or battery has a USB-C charging port and is part of this recall, it should be treated as affected even if it still appears to work normally. The issue is not the tool’s cutting or blowing function. It is the battery charging method.
How serious is the risk?
Greenworks Tools had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire while they were inserted in a tool and charging through the USB-C port, the CPSC said. 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 are inserted in the tools, Greenworks Tools said.
The company 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.
Owners can check the CPSC recall notice for recall number 26-611 and follow the company’s instructions for getting the replacement parts.
Why this recall matters
This recall is a reminder that battery design and charging method can matter as much as the tool itself. USB-C is a common charging standard, but in this case the CPSC said the risk appears when the battery is charged in the wrong configuration: inside the tool rather than removed from it.
For anyone with Kobalt yard equipment bought from Lowe’s this spring, the safest step is to stop using the USB-C charging setup until the replacement battery and accessories arrive.
