Door light will not come on when doors are open but will work when turned on at inside switch

Try the link

https://www.google.com/search?q=2011+dodge+journey+%22rear+hatch+light%22+switch+location

..

I'm fairly sure the overhead light has a switch where you can turn the door circuit off. You might want to check on that.
If the symbol on the dash does not come on when the door is opened, the problem could be the sensor in the door.

door switch is bad

http://www.shopjimmy.com/

Room lights have connection with the door switches as well push buttons built inside the light. So if any of the switches is not working then the light would not go off. This problem can be identified by checking your door open light in the meter panel. If it remains on then you need to detect and replace that switch. In order to detect that which switch is faulty, you open door one by one and press its on/off switch and observe if the door light in meter goes off. If it does then you need to replace that faulty switch.

You should also push light itself and you will feel its on/off push buttons.

You have a dome light/door ajar switch that is defective, the switch is a tiny micro switch attached to the door latch assembly inside the door, to replace it requires the door panel be removed.

you have a bad drivers door latch, the micro switch inside is not telling the computer that the latch has been opened which would normally mean the door is open.

One of the door adjar switches inside the door is sticking.
What works most of the time is to shoot some WD40 into the door latch it self then open and close the door several times,start with the drivers door.

Hiya
Check all 4 doors to see what works and doesn't work, be sure the interior domelight switch is set to turn on automatically when any door is open as well try the radio then open the 4 doors to see if it turns off...if your driver's side door don't work as you stated then that should be the door's "at fault".

GM built the door contact switch that's installed INSIDE the door-it's located inside the door striker/jamb area...it require removal of door trim to gain access.

However, you might want to try this visual inspection:
Check the thick wire harness located between the front-left door and door sill frame to see if any wire has been disconnected/cut or tampered with by previous owner.

There are levers or switches inside the door jambs which are more than likely sticking.........try moving the levers and if this works shoot some lubrication on them and move them around a bit.

Our Ford Expedition & an Olds Silhouette Premier & both did the same thing. Someone online said to spray the inside door where the metal connects with the frame & sensors are there with WD-40. We did & it fixed the problem. Maybe this will work for yours.