A strut which has lost its gas pressure loses its spring, so it wouldn't do that. A strut which has bad valves in it but still has full gas pressure might open abruptly, but I haven't seen one fail that way on a car hatch, which is where most of these things are used.
They are available with different pressures, described by the force they apply, and a vertically hinged door needs very low force compared to a top hinged hatch for which the strut must counteract the
weight of the hatch. My guess is the that yes, somebody put a high-force strut where a low-force strut was needed. They are readily available at RV supply stores and generally easy to install... I had to replace one on my motorhome.