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554,780 Kobalt tool batteries recalled over USB-C fire risk
Greenworks is recalling about 554,780 Kobalt yard tools after 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking, or catching fire during USB-C charging.
Image: The Verge
Greenworks Tools is recalling about 554,780 Kobalt-branded power tools used for yard work after a battery problem that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) says poses a fire hazard.
The agency says it has received 34 reports of batteries producing smoke, sparking, or catching fire while inserted in the tool and charging through the USB-C port. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
The recall covers several Kobalt models, including trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, mowers, and pruning saws that use 24V/48V lithium-ion batteries with a built-in USB-C charging port. Greenworks and the USCPSC have published the full list of affected models on their recall pages.
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The tools were sold through Lowe’s stores and online from January 2026 to May 2026 for between $20 and $482.
According to the USCPSC, the short-circuit and fire risk is limited to cases where the batteries are charged over USB-C while still inserted in the tools. Consumers with affected products are advised to contact Greenworks Tools through its registration form to get a free replacement battery.
The replacement pack swaps the USB-C port for a charging adapter. Greenworks is also providing an updated product manual, a warning sticker for the tool, and a prepaid shipping label so customers can return the original recalled battery.
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Dan is our resident futurist, covering electric mobility, space exploration, and the smart home. He's interested in atoms just as much as bits. Whether it's a new battery chemistry, a reusable rocket, or a protocol that finally makes IoT devices talk to each other, Dan breaks down the engineering that pushes humanity forward.
via The Verge
