Table of contents
- Latest Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuit Updates
- July 15, 2026: Class Action Filed over Kobalt Batteries
- July 9, 2026: CPSC and Greenworks Tools Announce the Recall
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Throw a Recalled Kobalt Battery in the Trash?
- How Do I Contact Greenworks About the Kobalt Recall?
- How Much Did the Recalled Kobalt Tools Cost?
- Does the Kobalt Recall Mean Lowe’s or Greenworks Is Liable?
Kobalt 24V and 48V yard tools with USB-C batteries were recalled on July 9, 2026 over a fire hazard. The recall covers about 554,780 units sold at Lowe’s from January to May 2026.
The batteries can short-circuit when charged through the USB-C port while inside the tool. Greenworks Tools, the importer, received 34 reports of smoke, sparks or fire. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Owners should stop charging the batteries in the tool and contact Greenworks Tools. A proposed class action was filed on July 15, 2026 against Lowe’s and Greenworks. No MDL has been formed.
Latest Kobalt Yard Tools Lawsuit Updates
July 15, 2026: Class Action Filed over Kobalt Batteries
A proposed class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of Robby Yu against Lowe’s and Greenworks, according to Cleveland.com [1].
The complaint alleges the Kobalt tools were sold without disclosing the battery defect. It seeks a jury trial, declaratory and injunctive relief and damages. These are allegations, not findings.
July 9, 2026: CPSC and Greenworks Tools Announce the Recall
CPSC announced the Greenworks Tools recall of about 554,780 Kobalt yard power tools, recall number 26-611 [2].
The notice says charging a battery through the USB-C port can cause a short circuit and a risk of serious injury from fire.
Who May Be Affected?
Buyers of the recalled Kobalt tools may be affected if they bought them at Lowe’s from January to May 2026, according to Cleveland19 [3]. The recall names these products:
- String trimmers
- Leaf blowers
- Lawn mowers
- Chainsaws
- Pruning saws
Only tools and batteries equipped with the USB-C charging port are included in the recall. Whether you qualify for any claim depends on your own facts and needs an individual legal review.
Reported Injuries or Damages
CPSC lists no injuries and no property damage. Greenworks Tools received 34 reports of the batteries producing smoke, sparking or catching fire while charging in the tool.
These are company reports to a regulator. They are not court findings. They also do not prove the battery caused every incident.
Recall and Regulatory Background
The recall remedy is a free replacement battery without a USB-C charging port. Greenworks Tools also provides a charger adapter, an updated manual, a warning label and a free return label. Consumers contact Greenworks Tools to request the remedy.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep these items in case a lawyer reviews a Kobalt claim:
- The recalled tool and battery, with model and capacity markings
- Proof of purchase from Lowe’s, such as a receipt, order email or account record
- Photographs of the tool, the battery and any smoke, sparking or fire damage
- Your recall replacement request and messages with Greenworks Tools or Lowe’s
- Notes of any incident date, plus any medical or service records
The EPA warns that even used lithium-ion batteries can have enough energy to injure or start fires [4]. Handle the recalled battery with care while you gather records.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where you live and when the loss or injury happened to you.
A claim can be lost if a deadline passes, however strong the facts look. The time to ask about your own deadline is early.
If you have questions about a Kobalt claim, speak with a lawyer promptly, before the facts and records become harder to gather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Throw a Recalled Kobalt Battery in the Trash?
You should not throw a recalled Kobalt battery in the trash. The EPA advises placing each battery in a separate plastic bag and taping the terminals with non-conductive tape. For a damaged battery, contact the manufacturer for handling information.
How Do I Contact Greenworks About the Kobalt Recall?
To contact Greenworks Tools about the Kobalt recall, call 888-266-7096 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday. You can also email recalls@greenworkstools.com to ask for the free replacement battery.
How Much Did the Recalled Kobalt Tools Cost?
The recalled Kobalt tools cost between $20 and $482, according to the CPSC notice. Check your own receipt or order record for the exact price and date of your tool.
Does the Kobalt Recall Mean Lowe’s or Greenworks Is Liable?
The Kobalt recall does not mean Lowe’s or Greenworks is liable. A court would have to decide fault in any case, and individual facts matter. A recall is a safety step, so it does not by itself decide fault.