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 some of the batteries can short-circuit if they are charged through a USB-C port while still installed in the tool.
The recall covers tools sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com from January through May 2026. The products include string trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, power cleaners and bristle brush kits.
What is the safety problem?
The CPSC says the hazard involves certain USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. If a consumer charges one of those batteries through the USB-C port while it remains in the yard tool, the battery can short-circuit. The commission said that can create a fire hazard.
Greenworks Tools told the CPSC 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.
Which batteries are included?
The recalled batteries came in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah sizes. The recalled products were imported by Greenworks North America LLC, which does business as Greenworks Tools, of Mooresville, North Carolina. The tools were manufactured in China and Vietnam.
What should owners do now?
The CPSC says consumers should stop charging the batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the yard tools. Greenworks Tools is offering a free replacement battery without a USB-C port, along with a charger adapter, updated product manual, warning label and prepaid shipping label to send back the recalled battery.
Owners who are unsure whether their tool is part of the recall should check the model and battery information against the CPSC recall notice or Lowe’s safety page. The recall number is 26-611.
Why this recall matters
Battery problems can be hard to spot before they become dangerous. In this case, the recall is not about the tools themselves failing during normal use. It is about a specific charging setup that can make the battery overheat and, in some cases, ignite. For anyone using rechargeable yard equipment, the key takeaway is simple: do not charge the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while they are still in the tool.
