spread this around to everyone you know everywhere. this goes out to the world:
if you install an aftermarket stereo, make sure its done correctly, with a harness adapter if possible. ive seen it time and time again, when someone hastily installs the stereo, they hook up the illumination wiring wrong and since its on the same circuit as the tail lights but not the brake lights or turn signals, it causes the tail lights to fail. it sometimes is as easy as a fuse but it can and does melt wiring and thats not easy to find all the time.
95% of all aftermarket decks out there don't use the factory stereo illumination. they have their own illumination run off the power source. tape off and secure any loose wires to make sure nothing shorts or grounds out for any reason.
EDIT: i know this may have nothing to do with the OP's question or problem, i just wanted to post it in here for all the people with no taillights looking for reference.