Kobalt Yard Tool Battery Recall: What Owners Need to Know

If you bought a Kobalt cordless mower, string trimmer, blower, chainsaw, or pruning saw at Lowe's this year, there is safety news you need to hear. On July 9, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Greenworks Tools is recalling about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools with USB-C batteries because the batteries can short-circuit and catch fire during charging.

According to the CPSC, Greenworks has received 34 reports of these batteries producing smoke, sparking, or catching fire while charging through the USB-C port with the battery still inserted in the tool. Thankfully, no injuries or property damage have been reported so far. But lithium-ion battery fires are fast, intense, and hard to put out, and many of these tools are charged and stored in garages attached to family homes.

This guide explains what the Kobalt battery recall covers, what to do right now, and what your legal options are if a defective battery ever causes a fire that injures you or damages your home.

What the Kobalt Battery Recall Covers

The recall involves Kobalt-branded 24V and 48V yard power tools that use 24V batteries with a USB-C charging port. Only tools and batteries with the USB-C port are included. The affected batteries come in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah, and 8.0Ah sizes, and the 3.0Ah and 6.0Ah batteries were also sold separately. The recalled products include:

• String trimmers, including 2-in-1 and attachment-capable models (24V and 48V kits)

• Push and self-propelled mowers with 17-inch and 21-inch decks (48V)

• Leaf blowers, including trimmer-and-blower combo kits (24V and 48V)

• 14-inch chainsaws and 6-inch pruning saws

• Power cleaners, bristle brush kits, and standalone 24V battery packs sold alone or in two-packs

The tools and batteries were sold at Lowe's stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026, for between $20 and $482. The complete model-number list appears in the CPSC recall notice, Recall No. 26-611.

Why USB-C Charging Creates a Fire Risk

The problem comes down to how these batteries behave when charged through the USB-C port while still attached to the tool. According to the CPSC, charging this way can cause the lithium-ion battery to short-circuit. A short circuit inside a lithium-ion battery can set off what engineers call thermal runaway. Think of it like a chain reaction: one overheating cell ignites its neighbors, releasing intense heat and flammable gases in a matter of seconds.

That chain reaction is why lithium-ion fires are so dangerous in homes. They burn hotter than ordinary fires, they can reignite after being put out, and they often start in garages, sheds, or utility rooms where no one is watching. A yard tool quietly charging overnight can become a serious fire hazard if the battery is defective.

What Kobalt Owners Should Do Right Now

If you own one of these tools or batteries, the CPSC and Greenworks recommend taking these steps:

• Stop charging the battery through the USB-C port immediately, especially while the battery is inserted in the tool.

• Register for the free remedy on the Greenworks Kobalt recall page. The company will send a replacement battery without the USB-C port, a charger adapter, a warning label for the tool, an updated manual, and a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery.

• Contact Greenworks Tools with questions at 888-266-7096 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday) or recalls@greenworkstools.com.

• Until your replacement arrives, charge batteries away from exits and flammable materials, and avoid charging them unattended or overnight.

The remedy costs you nothing. Under federal law, it is also illegal to sell or resell a recalled product, so do not pass an affected tool along at a garage sale or online marketplace.

If a Defective Battery Causes a Fire or Injury

A recall is a safety fix, not a legal shield. Under product liability law, companies that design, manufacture, or sell defective products can generally be held accountable when those defects hurt people, and issuing a recall does not erase that responsibility. Burn injuries, smoke inhalation, and house fires caused by defective lithium-ion batteries may support claims for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage, depending on the facts of the case.

If a battery fire ever harms you or your family, get medical attention first and let the fire department document the scene. Then preserve the evidence: keep the battery, the tool, the charger, and any burned debris rather than throwing them away, because that hardware is often the single most important piece of proof in a defective-product case. Photograph the damage, keep your receipts and medical records, and consider reporting the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov. It is also wise to speak with an attorney before giving recorded statements to an insurance company.

How Long Do You Have to Take Legal Action?

Every state sets deadlines, called statutes of limitations, for injury and property damage claims. In Texas, most personal injury claims must generally be filed within two years, but the exact deadline depends on your state and your circumstances, and exceptions can shorten or extend the window. Because evidence like a burned battery can degrade or disappear quickly, it makes sense to talk with an attorney early rather than waiting until a deadline is close. An attorney can confirm the deadline that applies to your specific situation.

How Gresham Law Group Can Help

Gresham Law Group is a Dallas-based firm that represents people nationwide who have been seriously hurt by defective products, including burn injuries and home fires traced to lithium-ion batteries. Led by Dean Gresham, who has spent more than 24 years representing injured people and their families, the firm can investigate how a fire started, work with fire-cause experts to preserve the evidence, handle the manufacturer and the insurance companies, and pursue the compensation the law allows when the facts support a claim.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a recalled product or a battery fire, you do not have to face it alone. Gresham Law Group offers a free, no-obligation consultation to talk through your options. Call (866) 878-3819 or reach us online at www.greshamlawgroup.com to speak with our team.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Gresham Law Group. Every case is different, and laws change over time. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter. If you have a legal question about your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.