Why are the tools being recalled?
MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 11 (Nationwide Times) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools are being recalled because the battery can short-circuit if it is charged through its USB-C port while still installed in the tool. The agency said that can create a fire hazard.
Which products are affected?
The recall covers Kobalt string trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, power cleaners and bristle brush kits. The affected batteries are labeled 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah or 8.0Ah and have a USB-C charging port, according to the CPSC. The products were sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026.
What did officials say happened?
Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools of Mooresville, North Carolina, imported the products, the CPSC said. The agency said Greenworks 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. No injuries or property damage had been reported in the CPSC notice.
What should owners do now?
The CPSC said consumers should stop charging the batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the tools. Greenworks Tools is offering 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 recall number is 26-611.
Why does this matter?
USB-C is a common charging standard, but this recall shows that charging setup matters as much as the battery itself. The CPSC said the risk comes from charging the lithium-ion battery through its USB-C port while it remains in the yard tool, which can cause a short circuit.
