News summary produced by Claude AI
Greenworks Tools has announced a recall affecting roughly 554,780 Kobalt-branded power tools used for outdoor yard maintenance. The recall was initiated due to a defect in the batteries that creates a potential fire hazard, posing what the company describes as a risk of serious injury. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented 34 separate incidents in which the lithium-ion batteries produced smoke, sparked, or ignited while being charged through a USB-C port while still connected to the tools. To date, no injuries or property damage have been recorded in connection with these incidents.
The affected products include multiple configurations of Kobalt trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, lawn mowers, and pruning saws that utilize 24V and 48V lithium-ion battery systems with integrated USB-C charging capabilities. The tools were distributed through Lowe’s stores and its e-commerce platform during a five-month window spanning from January 2026 through May 2026. Retail prices for the affected items ranged from $20 to $482 depending on the specific model and features.
According to product safety authorities, the fire risk is specifically associated with the charging process when batteries remain inserted in the tools while being charged via the USB-C connection. Consumers who own any of the recalled models are encouraged to register their products with Greenworks Tools through an official registration process to obtain a complimentary replacement battery at no cost. The replacement batteries feature a different charging mechanism that utilizes a dedicated power adapter rather than a USB-C port, along with updated instructional materials and warning labels. Affected customers will receive a prepaid shipping label to return their original recalled batteries as part of the remediation process.