Recall Explodes: Half-Million Tools Impacted

The same USB-C port that made Kobalt’s new yard tools so convenient is exactly what prompted a fire-risk recall for more than half a million of them.

Story Snapshot

About 554,780 Kobalt 24-volt and 48-volt yard tools with USB-C batteries have been recalled over a fire hazard.
At least 34 batteries reportedly smoked, sparked, or caught fire while charging through the USB-C port in the tool.
The problem appears when users charge the lithium-ion battery via USB-C while it is still locked into the mower, trimmer, or other tool.
Owners can get free replacement batteries without USB-C ports, but only if they act and register the recall.

A huge recall hiding in your garage

Federal regulators say Greenworks Tools, which makes Kobalt-branded yard tools for Lowe’s, has recalled about 554,780 cordless mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, and stand-alone batteries due to a fire risk associated with their USB-C charging ports.

These are not old leftovers from a dusty warehouse. They were sold at Lowe’s stores and on its website from January through May 2026, priced between roughly $20 and $499. Many buyers likely still see them as almost brand-new.

The recall focuses on Kobalt 24-volt and 48-volt tools that use specific Kobalt lithium-ion batteries with a built-in USB-C port. These batteries came in several sizes, including 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and 8.0 amp-hour versions, with some sold in tool kits and others sold individually.

On paper, that USB-C port sounded like a smart upgrade for customers who wanted simple, modern charging with the same cord they use for their phones and laptops.

Where the danger starts: charging in the tool

The problem does not show up when the tool is sitting idle in your shed. The danger arises when the battery is being charged via its USB-C port while still attached to the tool.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, charging this way can cause the lithium-ion battery to short-circuit, which in turn can lead to overheating and fire. Regulators say Greenworks has received at least thirty-four reports of batteries smoking, sparking, or catching fire in exactly that scenario.

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

So far, the recall notice reports no injuries and no confirmed property damage, which is rare good news in a story about battery fires. But the pattern matches what safety experts already warn about. Lithium-ion cells pack a lot of energy into a small space.

When the charging system fails and a short forms, heat can spike fast. Thermal runaway can follow, and a battery that looked fine a minute ago can suddenly smoke like a flare on your workbench. Anyone who keeps tools near gas cans, paint, or a wooden garage wall knows how fast that can escalate.

How this fits a wider battery safety problem

This recall is one case in a broader trend: powerful lithium-ion batteries paired with consumer-friendly features that stretch the safety margin.

Regulators in the United States and Canada have received thousands of reports of fires or overheating incidents linked to batteries and chargers in recent years.

Agencies keep repeating the same advice: use only the charger the maker recommends, follow the instructions, and never try to get clever with power adapters or “universal” chargers that were not built for your product.

⚠️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

The Kobalt design pushed in the opposite direction. It tried to merge a high-voltage yard tool battery with a universal USB-C port into a single pack. That is convenient for the shopper wandering a big-box aisle, but it adds one more complex path for current to flow.

When companies chase features and speed to market, and regulators step in only after dozens of incident reports pile up, the risk lands squarely on the homeowner’s garage floor.

What owners should do right now

Federal safety officials and Greenworks both tell Kobalt owners to stop charging any USB-C battery through its USB-C port while it is inserted in a tool.

That instruction is not a suggestion. Owners should remove the battery from the mower, trimmer, or other tool before charging, and move recalled batteries away from flammable items until the recall process is complete.

Greenworks is offering free replacement batteries that do not include USB-C ports, plus prepaid shipping to return the recalled packs.

To get that replacement, owners must fill out an online recall form or contact Greenworks by phone or email. That extra step can feel like a hassle, but it is the only way to swap a risky design for a safer one without paying out of pocket.

If this recall sits at the bottom of your to-do list, you are gambling that your battery will not be number thirty-five on the incident list. Fire does not care that you meant to “get to it later.”

Why this recall matters beyond one brand

For many Americans, this story hits a nerve. People work hard, pay full price at a large national retailer, and reasonably expect that basic safety testing has been completed before products reach the shelf.

When government regulators later announce that more than half a million of those tools carry enough risk to trigger a nationwide recall, it raises a simple question: who was minding the store when design choices were made? Trust in both companies and agencies depends on that answer.

Lithium-ion is not going away. More tools, bikes, and even lawn tractors now run on batteries. That can be great for noise, fumes, and long-term costs. But energy density always comes with responsibility. Responsible makers build in safety margin, not just marketing hooks.

Responsible regulators act before incident numbers climb. And responsible consumers read recall notices, register their products, and refuse to ignore warning signs such as swollen packs, new smells, or unexpected heat. That mix of caution is the best firewall most families have.