More than half a million Kobalt yard tools are being pulled from shelves because a USB-C battery can become dangerous while still in the tool.
Quick Take
- Greenworks Tools recalled about 554,780 Kobalt yard power tools and batteries sold under the Kobalt name.
- The recall covers 24-volt and 48-volt trimmers, blowers, mowers, chainsaws, and pruning saws with USB-C batteries.
- Federal regulators say charging the battery while it stays inserted in the tool can cause a short circuit and fire.
- The company says it has received 34 reports of smoking, sparking, or fires, but no injuries or property damage.
What Triggered the Recall
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission says the hazard occurs when users charge the lithium-ion battery via the USB-C port while the battery remains inside the yard tool.
That setup can cause the battery to short-circuit, creating a serious fire risk. Greenworks says consumers should stop using that charging method right away and request a free replacement battery.
Lowe's has recalled over 500,000 Kobalt tools because of a risk of fire due to defective batteries. Are you affected? Here's everything you need to know. https://t.co/SofBKeFPWI
— SlashGear (@slashgear) July 13, 2026
The scale matters because this is not a small repair notice. It is a broad recall that reaches a wide range of outdoor power equipment sold nationwide at Lowe’s and online during the first half of 2026. The affected products include 24-volt Kobalt-branded tools and certain 48-volt models tied to the same battery system.
Why This Recall Stands Out
USB-C has become a convenience feature people expect on phones, laptops, and other gear. On yard tools, though, convenience can hide a much harsher electrical reality.
These batteries store far more energy than a phone charger ever handles. When the charging path is not isolated well enough, heat builds fast and the risk rises.
That is why this recall feels bigger than one brand’s mistake. It fits a broader pattern of battery-fire warnings involving portable tools and chargers. Manufacturers keep adding easy-charging features, but the safety margin can shrink when those features are paired with high-power lithium-ion packs.
What Owners Should Do Now
Anyone who owns a Kobalt trimmer, blower, mower, chainsaw, or pruning saw should check the model details immediately. If the product came with one of the recalled USB-C batteries, stop charging it while it is still installed in the tool.
Greenworks says owners can get a replacement battery, a charger adapter, a warning label, an updated manual, and a prepaid label for returning the recalled battery.
⚠️Recall Alert – Greenworks Tools⚠️
Greenworks Tools Recalls 24V and 48V Kobalt Yard Power Tools with USB-C Batteries Due to Risk of Serious Injury from Fire Hazard
Recall Details
Description:
This recall involves Kobalt yard power tools, including trimmers, blowers, mowers,… pic.twitter.com/4mW41io0rc— Consumer Watch (@Consumer__Watch) July 9, 2026
For many households, the practical lesson is simple: an ordinary-looking battery can still pose a real fire risk if the charging setup is wrong. This recall is a reminder that modern tools are only as safe as their weakest link in the power system.
In this case, the weak point was not the mower blade or the motor. It was the battery port and the way people were told to charge it.
Sources:
foxbusiness.com, morningoverview.com, cpsc.gov
