[anth_97]

Electric power steering still has a mechanical connection to the wheels.

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/application.jsp?nodeId=02Wcbf07jS1504

that link shows how the setup is similar to a pump type steering. Instead of a pump it uses an electric motor. believe it or not the simplicity of the design should make it more relaible than pump power steering which has many more components that can fail... pump, hoses, fluid etc...

If the motor dies you will still be able to steer but (the same as it would with a pump) it will be harder to turn.

 

[anth_97]

Ok I see your point... However, how did you kill the engine? If u turned the key to off there might be a lock of some sort.

So basically if your driving down the road and lets say you alternator goes and your engine dies. Your telling me the person driving has no ability to steer the car? I don;t know much but I find it hard to belive that any car company will design a car like that.