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2mo ago

554,780 Kobalt Yard Tools Recalled Over USB‑C Battery Fire Risk

The recall follows reports that charging 24V Kobalt batteries through built‑in USB‑C ports while they are left in tools can short‑circuit cells and produce smoke or fire.

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More than 500,000 Lowe's-branded Kobalt yard tools have been recalled after dozens of reports that their lithium-ion batteries smoked, sparked or caught fire while charging.
More than 500,000 Lowe's-branded Kobalt yard tools have been recalled after dozens of reports that their lithium-ion batteries smoked, sparked or caught fire while charging.

Overview

  • Greenworks announced the recall in a CPSC notice that covers 554,780 Kobalt‑branded yard tools and battery packs sold at Lowe’s nationwide and online.
  • The recall targets 24V batteries with a USB‑C charging port in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah sizes used in trimmers, blowers, mowers, chainsaws and pruning saws.
  • Regulators cited 34 reports of batteries producing smoke, sparking or catching fire while charging with the USB‑C port while inserted in a tool, and no injuries or property damage have been reported.
  • Owners are told to stop charging batteries via the USB‑C port while they remain in tools and to register with Greenworks for free non‑USB‑C replacement batteries, a charger adapter, a warning label, an updated manual and prepaid return shipping.
  • The recall covers tools sold from January through May 2026 for about $20 to $482, and it highlights wider safety concerns about charging lithium‑ion cells inside devices where a built‑in port can create a short‑circuit risk.