My hatch struts/supports do not work anymore! Is there a fix?

Just replace the supports - it's not hard. They are available at JC Whitney, Canadian Tire and other automotive supply stores. The respective shops can look up the correct part number for you.

Read Tom Stangl's VFAQ on the subject for everything you need to know about how to do it. 

To help prevent the struts from wearing out prematurely, James Williamson suggests not 'helping' the hatch rise by pushing it upwards. This apparently helps keep the pressurized gases inside the struts.