Tailgate supposed to lock each time?

I also have a 2001 Saturn 300LW wagon, and recently the tailgate has locked
each time I shut it. Is this supposed to happen? I had a Voyager, Volvo
wagon, and Subaru Legacy wagon, and each of their tailgates did not lock
each time they were shut (unless you used the key or central locking
system).
Ed

 

I have the same model with remote keyless entry (RKE).
'Believe that it was programmed as you observed for safety reasons. I always
make a habit of pressing the remote (or unlock button on front doors) to
enable the gate latch before pressing the release button. Odd that you only
get one opening before you have to hit the unlock button again but that's
the way it seems to work.
If you really want it to work another way, check with Saturn service. They
may have a means to reprogram it.
Oppie

 

Certainly the 92 wagon does this, very irritating. Also if you are
pointed downhill you cannot unlock it enough with the lever, you have to
open it with the key.