Vehicle steering control device and steering control method

Provided are a vehicle steering control device and steering control method with which it is possible to alleviate a steering state of a steering operation element being distanced from a driver's intent when starting a drive source. A vehicle steering control device has a backup clutch which is switchable between an open state in which a torque transmission path is mechanically split and a closing state in which the torque transmission path is mechanically coupled. When an engine is started, the backup clutch is in the closed state. When a steering torque which is detected after the starting of the engine is less than or equal to a clutch open commencement torque (Ts1), the closed state backup clutch is switched to the open state. When the backup clutch state is the closed state, a turning assistance torque which assists the turning of a turning wheel according to the operation of the steering operation element is outputted by a turning motor which turns the turning wheel. When the closed state backup clutch is switched to the open state, the turning torque associated with a target turning angle associated with an operation of the steering operation element is outputted by the turning motor and the turning motor is drive controlled thereby.