I investigate warranty claims, and I've seen several failures of relatively low-mileage electric-assist steering columns. Like any other mass-produced parts, I'm sure there's a certain percentage of failures, but I'm a little spooky about trusting my life to a system that might not "fail-safe". I've seen some electric-assist steering columns that get ratchety and hard to turn due to internal wear.
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!