Fanatec Podium Pedals Formula Screw Issue: Refunds and Replacements Explained

Fanatec has acknowledged an issue affecting some Podium Pedals Formula units after customers reported stripped screws when attempting to adjust their new pedal sets.

The company has now published an official response outlining three options for affected owners, including a full refund, replacement with the upcoming Podium Pedals Sport or waiting for a revised version of the Podium Pedals Formula.

The announcement also gives us updated availability windows for Fanatec’s new flagship pedal range. The Podium Pedals Sport are currently expected at the end of September 2026, while reworked Podium Pedals Formula units are targeted for the end of October.

Fanatec acknowledges stripped screws on Podium Pedals Formula

Reports began appearing from owners who encountered difficulty removing screws while attempting to reposition or replace parts of the pedal assembly. In some cases, the screw heads became stripped before the adjustment could be completed.

Fanatec has now confirmed that it is aware of the problem affecting some customers and has apologised to those involved.

In its official statement, the company said it is working both to resolve the issue for current owners and to address the root cause for future production batches.

Fanatec has not publicly detailed the exact technical cause of the problem, so assumptions about screw material, assembly torque, thread locking compound or manufacturing tolerances should not currently be treated as confirmed.

Three options for affected Podium Pedals Formula owners

Customers experiencing the issue are being offered three different resolutions depending on whether they want to leave the Podium range, move to the upcoming Sport model or wait for corrected Formula hardware.

Regardless of which option an affected customer chooses, Fanatec is also offering a 10% coupon towards a future purchase.

Owners who have not already opened a support case are being asked to contact Fanatec customer support and specify which of the three options they would prefer.

Podium Pedals Sport remain on schedule for late September

The announcement also provides a useful update on the wider Podium Pedals launch schedule.

Fanatec says the Podium Pedals Sport are currently expected to become available at the end of September. The Sport version uses the same high-end pedal architecture but replaces the Formula-style carbon fibre pedal plates and heel cups with GT-style aluminium pedal plates.

The two-pedal Sport package is currently listed at €599.95 in Europe and $599.99 in the United States, compared with €699.95 / $699.99 for the Podium Pedals Formula.

That price difference explains why customers choosing the Sport replacement will also receive a region-specific coupon reflecting the difference in value.

Fanatec’s existing product information lists the Sport brake with a forged aluminium pedal arm, a load cell rated above 200 kg, calibration for up to 150 kg at the pedal plate and the company’s adjustable Compression Control System.

Reworked Podium Pedals Formula expected in late October

Customers who want to keep the Formula configuration can instead wait for what Fanatec describes as a reworked Podium Pedals Formula.

Those updated units are currently expected to become available at the end of October 2026.

Fanatec has not yet explained what physical changes will distinguish the revised production batch from the affected units, beyond confirming that improvements are being implemented to address the issue.

The current Podium Pedals Formula product page lists the €699.95 two-pedal set as unavailable at the time of writing.

The Formula version uses carbon fibre pedal plates and heel cups and is designed primarily around open-wheel, endurance and high-downforce racing. Like the Sport version, it uses Fanatec’s new adjustable brake mechanism, industrial-grade bearings and internal memory for pedal curves and dead zones.

What should current owners do?

If your Podium Pedals Formula can be adjusted normally and you have not experienced any issue, Fanatec has not announced a general recall or instructed all owners to return their pedals.

The company’s announcement specifically refers to some customers experiencing stripped screws.

Owners who do encounter unusually resistant hardware or damaged screw heads should therefore contact Fanatec rather than assuming that every unit requires replacement.

Given the price and mechanical adjustability of the Podium range, it also makes sense to avoid destructive removal methods before speaking to support, particularly if the pedals may need to be returned under warranty.

An awkward start for Fanatec’s new flagship pedals

The issue comes shortly after the Podium Pedals Formula entered the market as Fanatec’s new flagship two-pedal set.

The range represents a significant step above the company’s CSL and ClubSport offerings, with a new mechanical architecture, high-load braking hardware and considerably greater adjustment than previous Fanatec pedal systems.

That makes the early manufacturing problem particularly unfortunate for a €699.95 premium product, although Fanatec’s response gives affected customers considerably more flexibility than a conventional replacement-only RMA.

The next important dates are now the end of September for the Podium Pedals Sport and the end of October for the revised Podium Pedals Formula.

BoxThisLap previously covered the Fanatec Podium Pedals Sport and the broader Podium pedal range as Fanatec prepared to expand its flagship hardware line.

For now, anyone affected by the Formula screw issue should open a Fanatec support ticket and choose between the refund, Sport replacement or revised Formula options.

You can check the current Fanatec products on its website by clicking here.

See you on the track!