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 because certain USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can create a fire hazard.
The issue is not with every way these tools can be used. The hazard is tied to charging the battery through its USB-C port while the battery is still inserted in the yard tool. According to the CPSC, that setup can cause the battery to short-circuit.
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 and bristle brush kits. The affected batteries came in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah sizes and had a USB-C charging port.
The products were sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com from January through May 2026. 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.
Why is the recall being issued?
Greenworks Tools told the CPSC it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire while the battery was in a tool and being charged through the USB-C port. The CPSC said no injuries or property damage had been reported in the information it released.
What should owners do now?
Consumers should stop charging the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries remain inserted in the tools. Greenworks Tools is offering a free replacement battery without a USB-C port, plus a charger adapter, an updated product manual, a warning label and a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery.
Owners who are not sure whether their tool is covered should check the model and battery information against the recall notice from the CPSC or the retailer’s recall page. The CPSC recall number is 26-611.
Why this matters
For consumers, the recall changes one key point: these Kobalt batteries should not be charged in the tool through the USB-C port. The recall does not mean every Kobalt yard tool is unsafe. It applies to the specific 24V and 48V tools and battery packs listed in the notice.
Because the tools were sold nationwide, the recall affects households across the United States, not just one region.
