If your iPod Nano seems to be running too hot, you may want to check its serial number. Your Nano could be one of the defective iPods that are the subject of a product recall because of overheating.

According to Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., the overheating problem has plagued a small number of the Nano devices that were sold between the months of September 2005 and December 2006. Pennsylvania music lovers may be affected by the recall.

The culprit is the internal battery in each of the devices. They all came from a single battery supplier, and the batteries were made with a manufacturing defect that causes them to overheat. The condition gets worse as the batteries age, which explains why it took five to six years for the problem with the first generation Nanos to come to light.

If you're an Apple customer who owns an overheating Nano, you should return your device to Apple immediately. In about six weeks, you will receive a free replacement iPod — probably a newer model. The company's website contains an interactive tool that helps users find their serial numbers. You must sign in to the site with your Apple ID and password to participate in the recall and replacement program.

Apple's battery problems are not restricted to the first gen iPod. Owners of the 4S iPhone have reported that the device uses an unusual amount of battery power. Developers believe they have fixed the problem with a patch for the mobile operating system.

Source: The Tech Herald, "Apple issues recall of overheating iPod Nano," Steven Mostyn, Nov. 14, 2011