Exact same problem, except mine is a '01 with Traction Control. I was getting a Service Traction System warning on the message panel. Sure enough, one of the female sockets in the right tail light harness was cooked. As a temp patch, I shaved a piece of thin copper wire and slipped it in to the enlarged socket. A squirt of liquid solder might work too. (Evidently, the TCS warning was because it detected the brake light on--caused by the short--, yet the wheels were spinning normally.)
Cost of repair: $0. Thanks Automotive Forum Members!