My son's 2005 malibu
 

So I'm having issues with my son's car.
1. Cruise control isn't working
2. Driver side reverse light doesn't work
3. Passenger side brake light doesn't work

we have changed the fuses had to put a higher amp fuse for the lights to get them to work the lower fuses kept getting blown. He is wanting to take his driver test and I know all of this has to be fixed before he can. He's gotten oil changed, new tires we bought the car used. It does have almost 200,000 miles. I'm kind of at a loss right now. I have replaced the front headlights as it was in a small accident but no real damage. I'm just not sure what else I can do.

Well, first of all, if the fuse's are blowing, are they the proper amp? If you are having to put higher amp fuses in, you have an issue. Since it is reverse light on one side, brake light on the opposite side, I'd recommend cleaning the bulb sockets with an electrical cleaner, and (ask for this at auto part store) di-electric grease to put on the bulb then put them in the socket.

Also, look at the bulb on the end where the positive pin in the socket mates to it (ground side of the bulb is the outer), does it look like it is smashed or corrosion? If so, rteplace them

Time for a trade-in;
those Malibus are buggy.
I used one at work. i liked it, but power steering & engine problems at 100k
...plus the back doors wouldn't stay closed in winter

(...& just saw Ford is recalling 1.4million vehicles because the steering wheel can come loose!)

we have put the proper fuse in and as soon as you step on three brake it pops. We replaced the bulb sockets so there shouldn't be anything wrong with those because they are new.

bulbs are also new

if I could afford another car I would have gotten it for him already

right, but spending money on repairs is no good either
:(

How much higher is the amperage on the fuses you put in? You could potentially be causing a fire hazard with higher amp fuses!

My advice, never assume because something is new, it is good. Perhaps, but you have a direct short in the brake light circuit. If the cruise, brake lights are the issue, I'd suggest looking at the common tie with them, brake light switch.