---
title: "Over 550,000 Power-Tool Batteries Recalled Over a USB-C Fire Risk"
description: "Greenworks is recalling more than 550,000 Kobalt-branded cordless yard tools and batteries sold at Lowe's, after finding that charging the lithium-ion packs through their USB-C port while they are in the tool can cause a short circuit and fire. US safety regulators say there have been dozens of incidents but no injuries so far."
category: "Companies"
category_url: https://boursel.com/category/companies
author: "Priya Venkatesan"
published: 2026-07-17T16:33:00.000Z
updated: 2026-07-17T16:33:00.000Z
canonical: https://boursel.com/article/over-550-000-power-tool-batteries-recalled-over-a-usb-c-fire-risk
tags: ["recall", "consumer-safety", "kobalt", "greenworks", "batteries"]
---
# Over 550,000 Power-Tool Batteries Recalled Over a USB-C Fire Risk

Greenworks is recalling more than 550,000 Kobalt-branded cordless yard tools and batteries sold at Lowe's, after finding that charging the lithium-ion packs through their USB-C port while they are in the tool can cause a short circuit and fire. US safety regulators say there have been dozens of incidents but no injuries so far.

A common convenience, charging a device over USB-C, is behind a large product recall. Greenworks Tools is [recalling roughly 554,780 Kobalt-branded cordless yard tools and batteries sold at Lowe's, because the batteries can short-circuit and catch fire when charged through their USB-C port while still inserted in the tool, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Greenworks-Tools-Recalls-24V-and-48V-Kobalt-Yard-Power-Tools-with-USB-C-Batteries-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-from-Fire-Hazard). The affected products, string trimmers, blowers, mowers, chainsaws and pruning saws, were sold in the first months of 2026.

## What the hazard is

The problem is a specific misuse the design allows: plugging a USB-C charging cable into the battery while the battery is seated in the tool. In that configuration, the CPSC says, the battery can short-circuit, overheat and ignite. Greenworks has [logged 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire, with no injuries reported so far, per the CPSC notice](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Greenworks-Tools-Recalls-24V-and-48V-Kobalt-Yard-Power-Tools-with-USB-C-Batteries-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-from-Fire-Hazard).

The underlying danger is common to all lithium-ion batteries, the rechargeable cells that power everything from phones to electric cars. When one is short-circuited or damaged, it can enter "thermal runaway," a self-feeding chain reaction in which the cell rapidly overheats and can burst into flames. It is the same failure mode behind fires in e-bikes, scooters and other battery devices, which is why regulators watch battery design closely.

## What owners should do

The CPSC is urging owners to stop charging the batteries through the USB-C port while they are in the tools immediately. Greenworks is offering a free remedy, including replacement batteries without the USB-C port, adapters, and updated instructions, and consumers can contact the company to arrange it.

## Why it matters

Beyond the immediate safety issue, the recall is a reminder of the costs that ride along with hardware. For Greenworks and for Lowe's, the retailer that sold the tools during the busy spring season, a recall of this size means replacement logistics, customer-service strain and reputational risk in a competitive market. And it highlights a broader design lesson as USB-C becomes the universal charging standard: when a familiar port is added to a product, people will reasonably assume they can use it in any way, and manufacturers have to make sure that intuitive behavior cannot turn dangerous. Boursel does not offer investment advice; anyone who owns one of the affected tools should follow the CPSC's guidance.

## Sources

- [Greenworks Tools recalls 24V and 48V Kobalt yard power tools with USB-C batteries due to fire hazard](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Greenworks-Tools-Recalls-24V-and-48V-Kobalt-Yard-Power-Tools-with-USB-C-Batteries-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-from-Fire-Hazard)
- [More than 550,000 Kobalt yard tools recalled over battery fire hazard](https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/over-550000-kobalt-yard-tools-recalled-over-battery-fire-hazard)