Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Recall Due to Risk of Fire, Shock

Nearly 30,000 cordless electric lawnmowers have been recalled, following reports of problems that suggest the mowers may overheat, including at least five reported fires.

A Kobalt and Greenworks G-MAX lawnmower recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on May 26, indicating that at least 12 reports have been identified where the circuit board overheated, posing a fire and burn injury to consumers. Despite at least five fires being reported, no injuries have resulted from the fires.

Customers are being asked to stop using the recalled lawnmowers immediately due to the risk of burn injury. According to the recall notice, the circuit board in the lawnmower can short circuit and catch fire, posing a burn hazard and property damage hazard to consumers.

The recall includes an estimated 28,000 Kobalt and Greenworks brands cordless electric walk-behind mowers. The Kobalt brand push-mowers are equipped with a 40-volt max cordless dual-blade and are marked with model number KM2040X-06 and Item number 506586. The Kobalt recalled Kobalt models are marked with production date codes ranging from April 14, 2014 through May 14, 2015.

The recalled Greenworks G-MAX models are equipped with a 40-volt twin force cordless electric battery and are marked with the model number 25302 and have production date codes ranging from April 10, 2014 through July, 17, 2015.

Both recalled walk-behind mowers are equipped with four-wheels and have a 20-inch mowing deck. The model names “Kobalt” or “Greenworks” are located on the rear bag door area including the serial number, model number and date code.

The lawn mowers were manufactured in China under Hongkong Sun Rise Trading Ltd., where they were distributed by Sunrise Global Marketing, of Mooresville, North Carolina to Lowe’s and other major retail stores nationwide including online through Amazon.com and various other online retailers from May 2014 through July 2016 for about $350.

Customers are being asked to stop using the recalled walk-behind mowers immediately and to remove the battery. Those with recalled models should contact Hongkong Sun Rise Trading toll-free at 888-266-7096 or visit them online at www.greenworkstools.com and navigate to the “Important Safety Notice” for information on how to receive a free repair.