In an electric motor drive apparatus capable of reliably preventing adverse effects on an electric motor, when a control force detected by a torque sensor exceeds a predetermined value, a temperature storing unit stores a temperature detected by a thermistor at that time, and a deviation calculating unit calculates a deviation between the next temperature detected by the thermistor and the temperature stored in the temperature storing unit. When the calculated deviation exceeds a predetermined value, a current limit decision unit sends a limit signal to a current limiting unit. Upon receipt of the limit signal, the current limiting unit gradually decreases the upper limit value of current flowing in the electric motor at a predetermined time interval.