Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuit Update: USB-C Battery Fire Hazard Recall and Legal Options

No public lawsuits, class action settlements, multidistrict litigation, or announced settlement programs involving the recalled Kobalt yard tools have been identified at this time. Consumers may still seek an individual legal review if a recalled Kobalt battery caused smoke, fire, burns, property damage, or other losses.

Quick Facts

• The recall involves about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools and USB-C batteries.
• The fire hazard occurs when USB-C batteries are charged through the USB-C port while inserted in the yard power tool.
• Greenworks received 34 reports of smoke, sparking, or fire, with no injuries or property damage reported as of the CPSC recall date.
• Consumers should stop charging the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while inserted in the tool and request free replacement batteries.

Latest News & Updates on Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuits

July 2026

July 9, 2026 – CPSC announced Greenworks Tools’ recall of about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools with USB-C batteries because charging the batteries through the USB-C port while they are inserted in the tools can cause short-circuiting and create a fire hazard [1].

July 9, 2026 – Greenworks reported 34 incidents involving batteries that produced smoke, sparked, or caught fire while inserted in the tool and charging through the USB-C port. No injuries or property damage had been reported as of the recall announcement.

July 9, 2026 – The recalled Kobalt products were sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026 for between $20 and $482. The recalled products were manufactured in China and Vietnam.

July 2026 – Greenworks opened a replacement-battery claim process for affected Kobalt products sold exclusively at Lowe’s stores and Lowes.com. The company says replacement packages may include replacement batteries without the USB-C port, charger adapters, warning labels, updated product manuals, prepaid shipping labels, and return instructions [2].

Battery safety context – EPA advises that lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should not be placed in household garbage or regular recycling bins because of fire risks. Used lithium-ion batteries should be handled through separate recycling or household hazardous waste collection systems [3].

What Is the Kobalt Yard Tools Recall?

The recall involves Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools that use Kobalt-branded lithium-ion batteries with a USB-C charging port. The affected tools include trimmers, blowers, mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, bristle brush kits, and power cleaner kits.

The recalled batteries with USB-C charging ports were sold in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah, and 8.0Ah capacities. The 3.0Ah and 6.0Ah batteries were also sold separately from the tools.

Only products with USB-C batteries are included in the recall. Consumers should check the tool model number, battery model number, USB-C charging port, and Greenworks recall registration page to determine whether their product is affected.

Greenworks North America, LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools, imported the recalled products. The CPSC recall number is 26-611, and the recall was handled through CPSC’s Fast Track Recall process.

Recalled Kobalt Products and Batteries

The recall covers multiple Kobalt yard tool kits, tool-only products, and battery packs. Affected products include:

• Kobalt 24V 12-inch string trimmer and 270 CFM/100 MPH blower combo kit with one 3.0Ah battery.
• Kobalt 48V 17-inch, 21-inch, 21-inch self-propelled, and 21-inch dual-blade mower kits.
• Kobalt 48V 14-inch chainsaw kit and 48V 14-inch chainsaw tool-only product.
• Kobalt 24V 6-inch pruning saw kit.
• Kobalt 24V and 48V blower kits and 48V blower tool-only product.
• Kobalt 48V bristle brush kit.
• Kobalt 24V and 48V string trimmer kits and 48V string trimmer tool-only product.
• Kobalt 24V power cleaner kit.
• Kobalt 24V 3.0Ah battery, 24V 3.0Ah battery two-pack, and 24V 6.0Ah battery two-pack.

Affected battery models include KB 324-06, KB 424-06, KB 524-06, KB 624-06, and KXB 824-06. Consumers should not assume a Kobalt product is included unless it uses one of the recalled USB-C batteries or appears in the Greenworks recall lookup process.

Reported Risks or Injuries

The reported hazard is fire. Charging the lithium-ion battery through its USB-C port while the battery remains inserted in the yard power tool can cause the battery to short-circuit.

Greenworks received 34 reports of recalled batteries producing smoke, sparking, or catching fire while charging in this configuration. CPSC reported no injuries or property damage as of the July 9, 2026 recall notice.

Potential injuries from a battery fire may include burns, smoke inhalation, eye irritation, respiratory symptoms, cuts from damaged parts, and emotional distress after a fire or near-fire event. A fire may also damage garages, sheds, vehicles, flooring, tools, extension cords, chargers, workbenches, lawn equipment, and nearby belongings.

The risk may be especially serious if the battery charges unattended, inside a garage, near gasoline, near dry yard debris, on a workbench, or close to combustible household materials. Consumers should stop the recalled charging practice immediately and follow the replacement process.

How Does the Problem Occur, and Who May Be Liable?

The problem occurs when the recalled USB-C lithium-ion battery is charged through the USB-C port while the battery is inserted in the yard power tool. In that configuration, the battery can short-circuit and produce smoke, sparks, or fire.

A legal investigation may examine the battery design, USB-C charging circuitry, battery-management system, tool interface, thermal protections, instructions, warnings, quality control, consumer complaints, testing records, and recall timing. It may also review whether consumers were adequately warned about charging the battery while inserted in the tool.

Product identification is important because Kobalt yard tools can use different batteries and chargers. Consumers should preserve the tool, battery, charger, USB-C cable, adapter, packaging, model labels, serial numbers, purchase records, photographs, videos, and damaged property.

Potentially responsible parties may include Greenworks Tools, Greenworks North America, Lowe’s, the manufacturer, battery-cell suppliers, component suppliers, distributors, testing entities, or other companies involved in designing, importing, testing, selling, or warning about the recalled products. Liability depends on product identification, defect evidence, causation, damages, and applicable law.

Who May Be Affected?

Consumers may be affected if they bought or used a recalled Kobalt 24V or 48V yard power tool with a USB-C battery. The affected products were sold at Lowe’s stores and Lowes.com from January 2026 through May 2026.

People may also be affected if a recalled battery smoked, sparked, or caught fire near them even if they did not purchase the tool. Family members, roommates, neighbors, guests, employees, or bystanders could be exposed to smoke, flames, or property damage.

Property owners may be affected if a battery fire damaged a garage, shed, vehicle, workbench, lawn equipment, wiring, extension cord, flooring, wall, or stored personal property. Fire damage should be photographed and documented before cleanup whenever it is safe to do so.

Consumers should stop charging affected batteries through the USB-C port while they are inserted in the tools. They should contact Greenworks to request the free replacement battery package and follow the return and label instructions.

Do I Qualify?

• Did you purchase or use a recalled Kobalt 24V or 48V yard power tool with a USB-C battery?
• Did the battery have model number KB 324-06, KB 424-06, KB 524-06, KB 624-06, or KXB 824-06?
• Did the battery smoke, spark, melt, overheat, short-circuit, ignite, or catch fire?
• Was the battery charging through the USB-C port while inserted in the tool?
• Did you suffer burns, smoke exposure, breathing symptoms, eye irritation, or other injuries?
• Did the incident damage a garage, shed, vehicle, workbench, tools, furniture, flooring, walls, or other property?
• Do you still have the tool, battery, charger, USB-C cable, packaging, receipt, Lowe’s purchase history, photographs, fire report, medical records, or damaged property?

A legal review can help determine eligibility by evaluating the recalled tool, battery model, charging method, incident evidence, injuries, property damage, responsible companies, and filing deadlines that may apply.

Do I Have a Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one suffered burns, smoke exposure, property damage, or other losses involving a recalled Kobalt yard tool battery, you may have legal options. Contact Schmidt & Clark for a free case review.

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Important Legal Actions or Recalls

Event	Month/Year	Type	Status	Source	Notes
Greenworks Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools recall	July 2026	Consumer product recall	Free replacement-battery remedy announced	CPSC	About 554,780 Kobalt products were recalled after 34 reports of smoke, sparking, or fire while charging USB-C batteries inserted in the tools.

Potential Compensation

Potential compensation may include emergency treatment, urgent care, burn treatment, wound care, medication, smoke-inhalation care, follow-up medical appointments, scar treatment, and future medical expenses.

Additional damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, travel expenses, property damage, damaged tools, damaged vehicles, garage repairs, shed repairs, cleanup costs, smoke remediation, and insurance deductibles.

Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Legal Process Overview

Step 1: Free case review. The review begins with the Kobalt tool model, battery model, serial numbers, purchase date, Lowe’s receipt or order history, charging method, incident sequence, injuries, and property damage. Consumers may be asked whether the battery was charging through USB-C while inserted in the tool when it smoked, sparked, or caught fire.

Step 2: Investigation. Preserve the tool, battery, charger, USB-C cable, adapter, packaging, model labels, serial numbers, photographs, videos, damaged property, medical records, fire reports, and communications with Greenworks or Lowe’s. Investigators may evaluate the battery, tool interface, charging conditions, burn patterns, warnings, and recall documents.

Step 3: Filing the claim. A supported claim may allege defective design, manufacturing defects, inadequate warnings, negligence, breach of warranty, retailer liability, or other product liability theories. Filing deadlines vary by state and should be reviewed promptly.

Step 4: Discovery and negotiation. The parties may exchange design records, battery testing documents, quality-control materials, complaint data, recall materials, sales records, medical records, property-damage records, fire reports, expert opinions, and witness testimony. Negotiations may focus on product identification, causation, injury severity, property damage, repair costs, and future losses.

Step 5: Resolution. A case may resolve through settlement, dismissal, court ruling, or trial. The outcome depends on the evidence, injuries, damages, available defendants, insurance, and applicable legal defenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuits

What is the Kobalt yard tools recall?

The recall involves about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools and USB-C batteries. The batteries can short-circuit when charged through the USB-C port while inserted in the tool.

Why were Kobalt yard tools recalled?

The products were recalled because charging the USB-C lithium-ion battery while it remains inserted in the tool can create a fire hazard. Greenworks received 34 reports of smoke, sparking, or fire in that charging configuration.

Which tools are included in the Kobalt yard tools recall?

The recall includes certain Kobalt trimmers, blowers, mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, bristle brush kits, power cleaner kits, tool-only products, and battery packs. Only products with USB-C batteries are included.

Which Kobalt battery models are affected?

Affected USB-C battery models include KB 324-06, KB 424-06, KB 524-06, KB 624-06, and KXB 824-06. Consumers should check both the battery model and the Greenworks recall registration page before assuming a product is affected.

What should I do if I own a recalled Kobalt yard tool?

Stop charging the battery through the USB-C port while the battery is inserted in the yard power tool. Contact Greenworks to request the free replacement package and follow the company’s instructions for returning recalled batteries and applying warning labels.

Can I file a Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuit if there were no injuries?

Possibly. A legal review can evaluate property damage, fire damage, smoke damage, repair costs, insurance issues, and evidence connecting the loss to a recalled Kobalt battery.

What evidence should I save for a Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuit?

Save the tool, battery, charger, USB-C cable, adapter, packaging, receipt, Lowe’s order history, model labels, serial numbers, photos, videos, damaged property, medical records, fire reports, and communications with Greenworks or Lowe’s. Do not test, recharge, disassemble, or discard the battery after a fire incident unless immediate safety requires it.

Can I throw away a recalled Kobalt USB-C battery?

Do not place lithium-ion batteries in household trash or regular recycling bins. Follow Greenworks’ return instructions for the recall and local hazardous waste guidance for any battery that cannot be returned safely.

References

1. 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
2. https://www.greenworkstools.com/pages/kobalt-product-recall
3. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries
4. https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws–Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Topics/Batteries