The invention provides an electric power steering apparatus which can
improve a steering feeling. In the electric power steering apparatus, in
the case that once the electric abnormality is generated in the hardware
such as the motor, the torque sensor or the like and an output of the
assist force by the motor is reduced, however, the electric abnormality
is thereafter dissolved due to some kind or another reason, the output of
the assist force by the motor is increased immediately to an intermediate
target value (within a broken line .alpha.). Accordingly, it is possible
to prevent such a steering feeling as the steering wheel becomes suddenly
heavy. Further, since the output of the assist force is gradually
increased to a reset target value (within a broken line .beta.) after the
output of the assist force by the motor is increased to the intermediate
target value, it is possible to prevent such a steering feeling as the
steering wheel becomes suddenly light on the basis of the thereafter
increase of the assist force even if the steering wheel becomes heavy to
some extent. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly change to the assist
at a normal time from the assist at an abnormal time while preventing the
steering ineffective feeling, and it is possible to improve the steering
feeling.