MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 11 (Nationwide Times) — More than 550,000 Kobalt yard tools sold at Lowe’s are being recalled because their USB-C rechargeable batteries can short-circuit if they are charged while still inside the tool, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
The recall covers about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools sold nationwide at Lowe’s stores and on Lowes.com from January through May 2026. The affected products include string trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, power cleaners and bristle brush kits.
Why the recall was issued
The CPSC said charging the lithium-ion batteries through the USB-C port while the battery remains inserted in the tool can cause the battery to short-circuit, creating a fire hazard. Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools, of Mooresville, North Carolina, said it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire. No injuries or property damage had been reported.
Which batteries are affected
The recall covers batteries in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah sizes with a USB-C charging port. The recalled tools and batteries were manufactured in China and Vietnam.
What consumers should do
Consumers should stop charging the recalled 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.
How to check a tool
The recalled products carry the Kobalt name and were sold through Lowe’s. Owners should look for a USB-C charging port on the battery and compare the product against the CPSC recall notice or Lowe’s recall page. The CPSC recall number is 26-611.
Why this matters
Lithium-ion batteries are common in cordless yard tools because they can be recharged and are lighter than older battery types. But if they are damaged or charged in the wrong way, they can overheat fast. In this recall, the problem is not the tool itself alone, but the way the battery can be charged while it is still installed in the tool.
