Greenworks North America, LLC has recalled approximately 554,780 Kobalt-branded yard power tools equipped with USB-C lithium-ion batteries after the batteries were found to short-circuit, spark, smoke, or catch fire when charged through the USB-C port while the battery remains inserted in the tool. The recall was announced July 9, 2026. Greenworks has received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking, or catching fire under these conditions. No injuries or property damage have been reported. The tools were sold exclusively at Lowe’s.
What’s Being Recalled?
The recall covers a wide range of Kobalt yard power tools that use 24V batteries with a USB-C charging port, as well as 48V kits that use two such batteries. Affected tools include string trimmers, leaf blowers, push mowers, self-propelled mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, bristle brushes, and power cleaners. The recalled batteries come in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah, and 8.0Ah capacities — all featuring a USB-C charging port on the battery. The 6.0Ah and 3.0Ah batteries were also sold separately. Only tools and batteries with the USB-C port are included in this recall — not all Kobalt products. The full list of 20 affected model numbers is available at greenworkstools.com/pages/kobalt-product-recall. The products were sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026 for between $20 and $482.
Why Was This Product Recalled?
When the USB-C batteries are charged via the USB-C port while still inserted in a Kobalt yard power tool, the batteries can short-circuit. This short-circuit can cause the battery to produce smoke, sparks, or ignite. Thirty-four such incidents have been reported to the CPSC. The hazard is specific to the combination of USB-C charging while the battery is inside the tool — using the tool normally or charging via a standard charger with the battery removed from the tool does not trigger the same risk.
What Should You Do?
Stop charging the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while they are inserted in the yard power tool immediately. Register at greenworkstools.com/pages/kobalt-product-recall to receive free replacement batteries without the USB-C port, a charger adapter, a warning label to affix to the tool, an updated product manual, and a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled batteries. Contact Greenworks Tools toll-free at 888-266-7096, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or email [email protected].
