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 sold at Lowe’s because certain USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit and create a fire hazard when they are charged while still inserted in the tool.
The recall covers string trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, power cleaners and bristle brush kits sold nationwide and online at Lowes.com from January through May 2026, the CPSC said. The importer, Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools of Mooresville, North Carolina, said the affected products were made in China and Vietnam.
What is the hazard?
According to the CPSC, the problem is tied to the USB-C rechargeable battery design. If a consumer plugs a charger into the battery’s USB-C port while the battery is still installed in the yard tool, the battery can short-circuit. That can cause the battery to smoke, spark or catch fire.
Greenworks Tools said it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire during that kind of charging. No injuries or property damage had been reported in the sources reviewed by the agency.
Which batteries are included?
The recall applies to certain batteries with capacities of 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah. The key identifier is the USB-C charging port on the recalled batteries.
The CPSC said the recall is listed as recall number 26-611.
What should consumers do?
The agency says owners 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, along with a charger adapter, an updated product manual, a warning label and a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery.
Consumers can use the recall information from the CPSC or Lowe’s to check whether their Kobalt tool is included. The safest step is to stop using the charging method named in the recall until the replacement and updated parts are in hand.
Why this recall matters
Lithium-ion batteries are common in cordless tools because they are lightweight and rechargeable. But they can become dangerous if damaged, overheated or charged in a way the product was not designed to handle. In this case, the CPSC says the risk comes from charging through the battery’s USB-C port while the battery remains inside the tool — a setup the recall says can lead to a short circuit and fire.
