my steering wheel start locking up then a day later my car died.
The electric steering will shut down if the system voltage is low, your alternator failed.
Something similar happened both times the alternator failed on my Corolla. The steering became stiff just before the car died completely.
The standard battery/alternator diy’er test: Before first start of the day battery should measure about 12.6 volts. Immediately after starting the engine, 13.5-15.5 volts.