More than half a million shiny new Kobalt yard tools just went from “weekend upgrade” to “potential fire starter” because of one small USB-C charging port.
Story Snapshot
- About 554,780 Kobalt yard tools and batteries are recalled over a lithium-ion fire hazard
- Charging the USB-C battery while it is still clicked into the tool can cause a short circuit and fire
- There have been 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking, or catching fire, but no injuries so far
- Owners get free replacement batteries without USB-C ports from Greenworks Tools if they act now
A huge recall that starts with a tiny port
Greenworks Tools, the company behind the Kobalt brand at Lowe’s, is recalling about 554,780 yard tools and separate batteries due to a serious fire risk associated with their USB-C charging design. These are not obscure gadgets.
They are everyday trimmers, blowers, mowers, chainsaws, and pruning saws using 24-volt and 48-volt lithium-ion batteries with USB-C charging ports. Many shoppers bought them this year, believing that cordless convenience meant safer, cleaner technology.
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 core problem is simple and alarming. If the battery is charged via its USB-C port while still inserted in the yard tool, it can short-circuit and catch fire.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission calls this a serious fire-injury risk, even though, thankfully, no injuries or property damage have been reported yet. That is the kind of near miss that should make homeowners and regulators pay close attention before someone gets hurt.
What went wrong inside these batteries
The recalled batteries are 24-volt units offered in sizes ranging from 3.0 to 8.0 amp-hours, all with built-in USB-C charging ports.
According to the recall notice and Greenworks’ own safety page, charging them via USB-C while seated in the tool creates the failure point that can trigger a short circuit inside the battery pack.
Short circuits in lithium-ion cells can lead to overheating and what engineers call thermal runaway, which can lead to smoke, sparks, and open flame.
Greenworks and federal safety officials do not publish a circuit diagram, but their warnings align with growing concern about mixing low-voltage USB-C charging electronics with high-capacity tool batteries in a single compact housing.
The more current that flows through tight spaces with limited cooling, the more stress builds on the cells and wiring. That design choice may look clever on a sales flyer. It looks very different once regulators count fire reports.
How many incidents and which tools are affected
By the time the recall notice was posted, there were 34 documented reports of these batteries smoking, sparking, or catching fire while being charged as described. That number matters.
It tells us this is not a single fluke but a recurring pattern that regulators could directly link to USB-C charging behavior. Every incident involved charging with the battery still in the tool, which is a natural habit for many owners who assume “click in and plug in” is safe.
The recalled Kobalt tools were sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com. One federal notice says they were sold from January 2026 through May 2026, with prices ranging from about $20 up to $482 for higher-end equipment.
Another report notes a broader sales window spanning several years, suggesting some owners may have used these tools for a long time without realizing the risk. That kind of gap between design, sales, and safety alerts should bother anyone who cares about basic consumer protection.
What owners need to do right now
Consumers are told to immediately stop charging the affected batteries via the USB-C port while they are inserted into the tool. The safest move is to pull the battery from the tool before any charging and to avoid USB-C charging entirely until a replacement arrives.
Greenworks is offering free replacement batteries without USB-C ports, along with a shipping label so owners can return the recalled batteries. This is the classic recall pattern: stop using the risky feature, swap the hardware, and move on.
⚠️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
Owners must complete an online form or contact Greenworks Tools by phone or email to start the process. For a typical homeowner juggling work, family, and a long list of chores, that extra step is annoying but essential. The responsibility here is clear. The company designed and sold the product, so it should make people whole quickly, with simple instructions and quick shipping, not legal footwork or delays.
The bigger issue with modern battery tools
This recall also fits into a larger trend of lithium-ion battery incidents in tools, bikes, and other products. Federal safety data shows tens of thousands of reports of battery fires or related events over a five-year span across many categories.
Regulators have already warned about unsafe chargers for electric scooters and bikes, and this case reinforces the lesson: mixing high power and convenience features like USB-C without extra protection can turn a “smart” product into a real hazard.
For homeowners, the takeaway is simple. Cordless tools are here to stay, and they can work well. But do not assume that every new charging trick is smart or safe. Follow recall notices.
Charge batteries as the manual describes. Use only the chargers that come with the product. Push companies and regulators to focus on basic safety, not just sleek features. A yard tool should cut grass and trim hedges, not test your home’s fire insurance.
Sources:
foxbusiness.com, morningoverview.com, cpsc.gov, singletonschreiber.com
