MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 11 (Nationwide Times) — More than 554,000 Kobalt yard power tools sold at Lowe’s are being recalled because their lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit and catch fire if they are charged through the USB-C port while still inserted in the tool, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
The recall covers about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V tools sold nationwide in Lowe’s stores and on Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026. The products were imported by Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools, of Mooresville, North Carolina. The tools were made in China and Vietnam.
What products are included?
The recall includes 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.
Why are they being recalled?
According to the CPSC, charging the batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries remain in the tool can cause the batteries to short-circuit. Greenworks Tools said it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire while inserted in a tool and charging through the USB-C port.
No injuries or property damage had been reported in the recall notice.
What should consumers do?
Greenworks Tools is telling consumers to stop charging the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the yard tools. 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.
Consumers who own these tools should check the recall notice and contact Greenworks Tools for the replacement process. The CPSC recall number is 26-611.
Why this matters
For buyers, the recall changes one part of how these tools can be used safely: the battery should not be charged in the tool through the USB-C port. The recall does not mean every Kobalt yard tool is affected, only the models and batteries listed in the federal notice.
Because the products were sold through a major national retailer and online, the recall reaches shoppers across the United States, not just one state or region.
