Kobalt rotary power lawn mowers
17 reports to CPSC, the latest made Jun 11, 2026. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 17reports to CPSC
- Jun 11, 2026the latest report was made
- Sep 28, 2016the earliest
- 0with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Kobalt
- Makers
- LF, LLC, Sunrise Global Marketing / Greenworks Tools and Hongkong Sunrise Trading LimitedMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Rotary power lawn mowersCPSC’s product type: Rotary Power Lawn Mowers (code 1448), in Yard & Garden: Lawn Mowers, Leaf Blowers and Lawn Vacuums
Other ways the reports write the brand (3)
“Kobalt 40v”, “Kobalt 80-Volt Max Brushless Lithium Ion Push 21-in Cordless” and “Kobalt Electric Push Mower (40v)”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | 1 |
| September 2022 | 1 |
| July 2022 | 1 |
| June 2022 | 1 |
| August 2021 | 1 |
| July 2021 | 1 |
| September 2020 | 1 |
| August 2020 | 1 |
| July 2019 | 2 |
| June 2019 | 2 |
| September 2018 | 1 |
| June 2018 | 1 |
| June 2017 | 2 |
| September 2016 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- No one hurt 15 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
- No incident, no one hurt 2 CPSC: No Incident, No Injury
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Jun 11, 2026, sent to the company Jun 16, 2026, published by CPSC Jul 2, 2026
The product, in the report: Kobalt cordless electric lawn mower (Product# KSPM 1040B-03, Date code 0324 Serial # 001406)
While mowing my lawn with the Kobalt cordless electric lawn mower (Product# KSPM 1040B-03, Date code 0324 Serial # 001406), I released the bail control arm to stop the blades to avoid and clear a hazard, but the blades did not stop spinning. I tried pulling and releasing the arm several times, but the blades continued to run. In order to stop the blades from running, I reached down and pulled out the battery.
When the battery was reinserted, I was unable to get the blades to resume operation. The device powers on properly and is able to self-propel with the wheels, but the blades will not spin.
Earlier in the day, it had rained on the unit. I believe the issue was caused by water entering one of the safety interlock switches, holding the switch closed when the control arm was released. That would explain why I was unable to resume blade operation after reinserting the battery - it believes the switch is already being depressed.
This obviously poses a significant safety hazard, if the blades do not stop when the bail arm is released, the blades cannot be quickly halted in the event of a child/animal/object entering the cutting surface of the lawnmower.
- Model
- KSPM 1040B-03
- Serial number
- 001406
- Bought from
- Lowe’s
- Where
- Bryan, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 33, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No incident, no one hurt Made Sep 10, 2022, sent to the company Sep 15, 2022, published by CPSC Sep 29, 2022
The product, in the report: Kobalt battery powered lawn mower
Batteries melting in Kobalt lawnmowers KPM 1040B-03. I had this lawnmower for 3 months and when I installed the battery today to mow my lawn it stalled after 5 minutes of use. I opened the battery compartment and saw that there battery fluid has oozed out into the compartment. I returned the mower to Lowes and got another one (same model). I took it home and assembled it. I opened the battery compartment and I saw that it battery fluid had previously oozed into the compartment. I didn’t even put the battery in the compartment.
- Model
- KPM1040B-03
- Serial number
- 006381
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- Sep 10, 2022
- Where
- Austin, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 44, Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- No Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jul 5, 2022, sent to the company Jul 8, 2022, published by CPSC Jul 22, 2022
The product, in the report: Kobalt 80 V Battery Operated Lawn Mower
Motor and blade dropped out of mower
A spinning lawn mower motor/blade assembly that comes loose and drops to the ground while mowing places the user at risk of severing a limb.
Moreover, Lowes is the reseller. Kobalt is a brand owned by Lowe’s. [REDACTED]
The purchase date was May 29, 2017. It was purchased for me as a gift by my father, [REDACTED].
- Model
- KM2180B-06
- Serial number
- KBW0880742
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- May 29, 2017
- Where
- Linwood, New Jersey: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 44, Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jun 2, 2022, sent to the company Jun 7, 2022, published by CPSC Jun 23, 2022
The product, in the report: Kobalt 20 inch battery powered push mower Model KM2040X-06, Serial number KBSS3330373 with a manufacture date of 11/29/13.
I have a Kobalt 20 inch mower Model KM2040X-06 Serial number KBS3330373. Recently I was using the mower, it has two battery compartments, the mower shut off while I was using it. There are indicator lights next to the battery compartments and they both starting flashing just before the mower shut off. The mower also started smoking, fortunately it didn’t catch fire. I remembered receiving a recall notice but I hadn’t ever notified Sun Works. The issue I experienced is identical to the details in the recall notice. I contacted Sun Works today and I was told that my mower is outside of the recall dates. The production date on my mower is 11/29/13 and the person on the phone informed me that the recall start date is 2014. I am making you aware because based on what happened, it is the same product and the production date is just before the start of the mowers that were recalled. They didn’t off any consideration to repair the issue other than provide information I can us to trouble shoot it myself.
- Model
- KM2040X-06 Item 506586
- Serial number
- KBs3330373
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- Mar 1, 2014, about then
- Where
- Knoxville, Tennessee: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 65, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by Sunrise Global Marketing /
Greenworks Tools - How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Aug 25, 2021, sent to the company Aug 30, 2021, published by CPSC Sep 14, 2021
The product, in the report: 80 volt Kobalt mower Model 80 Volt 21 “ electric mower
I was just operating my 80 volt Kobalt mower on some dewey grass which naturally plugged up the inside of the mower deck. I turned it on its left side and used my garden hose to spray out the clumped grass. I was using my hands to help clear out the grass when the blades started turning and immediately hit full RPMs for a couple of seconds then stopped.Fortunately, I pulled my hand out quick enough to not lose my hand or any fingers. I really couldn’t believe it and made sure nothing was affecting the power button or safety bar. I stood back and continued to spray the inside the deck and it started up again and again. Perhaps the water from the hose shorted out something that bypassed the start button. When I righted the mower it operated normally. I have not seen this issue elsewhere but am truly amazed this could happen. I will post this elsewhere and hope it will get some attention before someone else is not as lucky as I was.
- Model
- 80 Volt 21 “ electric mower
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Where
- Somerset, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 68, Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- Reports CPSC links to it
- 20210825-7AF4D-2147360907
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No incident, no one hurt Made Jul 16, 2021, sent to the company Aug 4, 2021, published by CPSC Aug 18, 2021
The product, in the report: Kobalt 80volt walk behind 21 inch lawnmower
My son was using my Kobalt 80 volt walk behind lawnmower when the rear wheel fell off. The wheel bearing failed. I have read online line that this has happened to other consumers. This sounds dangerous to have the rear wheel fall off while it is being operated.
- Model
- Model #KM 2180B-06
- Serial number
- KBW2790292
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- May 2, 2018, about then
- Where
- Belchertown, Massachusetts: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 23, Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- No Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 6, 2020, sent to the company Oct 14, 2020, published by CPSC Nov 10, 2020
The product, in the report: kobalt 40 volt max dual blade mower black and blue
Kobalt 40v cordless mower started smoking. At first thought it was the battery, but after letting it sit for a couple of hours and replacing battery, the mower is still smoking when in use. Checked online for any fixes and came across information on a recall for the mower.
- Model
- km2040x-06
- UPC
- 506586
- Serial number
- KBU1140249
- Bought from
- lowes
- Bought
- Nov 28, 2015
- Where
- LEXINGTON, South Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand kobalt, made or sold by Sunrise Global Marketing /
Greenworks Tools - How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Aug 27, 2020, sent to the company Oct 14, 2020, published by CPSC Nov 10, 2020
The product, in the report: 80v Kobalt Electric Push Lawn Mower
I was cleaning grass from the underside of my Lowes 80v Kobalt mower deck with a brush and bucket of water. The mower was on its side and I tipped it back onto all 4 wheels and installed the battery. When all of the sudden the mower blade started spinning without touching the handle. The only way to stop the blade from spinning was to remove the battery. I tried pushing the safety button and pulling the handle I could not get the blade to stop. Seems very dangerous that cleaning the underside of the mower deck could cause the blade to spin uncontrollably. Lucky I had removed the battery when my hands were by the blades.
- Model
- KM 2180B-06
- Serial number
- KBW3280282
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- Aug 1, 2018
- Where
- Manitowoc, Wisconsin: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 31, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt 80-Volt Max Brushless Lithium Ion Push 21-in Cordless, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jul 31, 2019, sent to the company Aug 27, 2019, published by CPSC Sep 11, 2019
The product, in the report: Kobalt Model KBS3470348 Electric [Push] Lawnmower
My Kobalt electric lawnmower, model KBS3470348 manufactured 12/13/13 had smoke coming out of the battery compartment. When I called Kobalt they thought it was one of the mowers that was recalled but upon further checking they said it wasn’t, It sounds very similar to the recall of
Kobalt 40-volt max cordless dual-blade push lawn mower Blue and black KM2040X-06 506586 04/14/14 to 05/14/15
I’m wondering if my model has the same issue and there should be a recall on it
- Model
- KBS3470348
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- May 24, 2014
- Where
- Fulton, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 61, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jul 13, 2019, sent to the company Aug 7, 2019, published by CPSC Aug 21, 2019
The product, in the report: Kobalt 40v Electric Push Mower
On 7/12/2019, at approximately 10:30 pm, my wife noticed that our back deck was on fire. In the process of putting out the fire, we discovered that our Kobalt 40v Lawn Mower was on fire and subsequently caught our back deck on fire. We stored the lawn mower just under the deck while not in use.
- Model
- KM2040X-06
- Bought from
- Private Sale
- Where
- DISPUTANTA, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt Electric Push Mower (40v), made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jun 30, 2019, sent to the company Jul 29, 2019, published by CPSC Aug 19, 2019
The product, in the report: Blue electric lawnmower used to mow a very small yard
Lawnmower would not start and smelled like electrical wires melting. I took it to someone to look at it and the wires and contacts were melted and burned.
- Bought from
- Lowe’s, Texas
- Bought
- Mar 10, 2017, about then
- Where
- Brazoria, Texas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt 40v, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 26, 2019, sent to the company Jul 24, 2019, published by CPSC Aug 7, 2019
The product, in the report: Cordless Push Mower Blue and Black model # KM2040X-6, item # 506586
The mower was purchased from Lowe’s in 2014. It was model # KM2040X-6, item # 506586. It spontaneously combusted and caught my house on fire.
- Model
- KM2040X-06
- Bought from
- Lowe’s
- Bought
- Oct 8, 2014, about then
- Where
- Clovis, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 24, 2018, sent to the company Oct 2, 2018, published by CPSC Oct 17, 2018
The product, in the report: Kobalt 80-volt Brushless Lithium Ion 21-in Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Sold by Lowe’s
The item in question is a Kobalt 80-volt Brushless Lithium Ion 21-in Cordless Electric Lawn Mower, sold through Lowe’s. The mower was purchased on/about 16 Sept 2018 and used approximately 6h since.
On 23 Sept 2018, after using for approximately 1/2 hour, the mower was laid on its side for cleaning. A hose was used to wash off loose grass clippings from the underside of the mower. I had not removed the battery. Less than one minute into the cleaning, the mower started spinning at full speed.
This mower is equipped with a safety lock-out button on the handle which must be depressed prior to the bail handle being pulled in order to engage the blade. Neither the lock-out button was pushed nor the bail handle pulled at the time the mower started on its own.
I include a link from YouTube of another consumer who reports a similar incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL-hOO3GoOQ
This incident scared the living daylights out of me. If any body part or animal had been in the vicinity of that blade, it would have been sliced to ribbons.
It appears from my experience and that of the person who posted on YouTube that water on bottom of the mower can override the mower’s safety lockouts. This is a VERY dangerous product that has an extremely high potential of causing traumatic injury.
- Model
- Item # 632477 Model # KM 2180B-06
- Bought from
- Lowes, Massachusetts
- Bought
- Sep 15, 2018
- Where
- Sterling, Massachusetts: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 54, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 10, 2018, sent to the company Aug 3, 2018, published by CPSC Aug 17, 2018
The product, in the report: This Kobalt 20-inch, battery-powered push mower has two cutting blades but cannot side-discharge. It has high rear wheels.
While mowing my lawn, smoke started coming from both the right and left hand sides of the mower. I took out the batteries, let it cool for a long time, and tried to use it again but the smoking started up again.
- Model
- KM2040X-06
- Serial number
- KBS3332262
- Bought from
- Lowe’s, Pennsylvania
- Bought
- May 26, 2014
- Where
- Wynnewood, Pennsylvania: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 52, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by Sunrise Global Marketing /
Greenworks Tools - How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 20, 2017, sent to the company Jun 28, 2017, published by CPSC Jul 13, 2017
The product, in the report: 40 volt cordless dual-blade mower
On 5/23/17 we had a fire at our house caused by a Kobalt Electric Lawn Mower. There were no flames per se but some heat and lots of acidic smoke/soot. The soot contaminated our entire house.
The Fire Forensic Investigator ([REDACTED]) has determined that we were not at fault in any way. The mower was not on a charger (physically impossible) and had been setting unused in the garage for several days when the fire started. Additionally, the Investigator showed that Kobalt had issued a Consumer Safety Recall just the day before for this model mower because it had been deemed a “Fire Hazard.”
As a result of the fire we have had to vacate our home since the fire and a restoration company is currently working to clean our home and our belongings. Because the soot/smoke was acidic, may of our items are being deposed.
- Model
- KM2040X 25243
- UPC
- DESTROYED
- Serial number
- DESTROYED
- Bought from
- Lowes, Tennessee
- Bought
- Apr 23, 2016
- Where
- Smyrna, Tennessee: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 62, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 7, 2017, sent to the company Aug 15, 2017, published by CPSC Aug 29, 2017
The product, in the report: Kobalt KM2040X-06 battery operated mower.
I had just started mowing my lawn with freshly charged batteries in a Kobalt KM2040X-06 mower when the mower sounded like one of the motors was winding down. This was quickly followed by smoke emanating from under the mower’s deck. I let go of the dead man and lifted the mower onto its side and confirmed smoke was coming from the right motor. After the mower was powered off the smoke dissipated after about 30 seconds. The blade and motor felt bound up. The mower is now not operational and shuts off immediately after starting. The mower I have is not part of the existing recall notice from May 26 but I feel that a fire could have resulted had the mower not been promptly shut off. The serial # is KBV0320127 with a date of 02/01/16.
- Model
- Kobalt KM2040X-06
- Serial number
- KBV0320127
- Bought from
- Lowes
- Bought
- May 1, 2016
- Where
- Hillsboro, Oregon: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 47, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by Hongkong Sunrise Trading Limited
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 28, 2016, sent to the company Oct 21, 2016, published by CPSC Nov 4, 2016
The product, in the report: Kobalt 80 Volt Cordless lawn mower sold only at LOWE’S
The Kobalt 80 volt battery operated lawn mower sold at Lowe’s will continue to run and spin the blade without the safety handle being pressed down. It has happened to me several times. I have video of the incident from June 25th, 2016. It appears to happen after the machine comes in contact with any water. I washed off the bottom of the machine and it started up and started spinning the blade on its on. https://youtu.be/JL-hOO3GoOQ
- Model
- KM 2180B-06
- Serial number
- 0216
- Bought from
- LOWE’S, Illinois
- Bought
- May 1, 2016
- Where
- Plainfield, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 48, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Kobalt, made or sold by LF, LLC
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.