Diagnostic Aids
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
An intermittent hard shift may be caused by an intermittent clutch condition. With a self adjusting clutch, the clutch may be in between adjustments and not give full clutch release. This might be felt by a low clutch pedal. After several applications, the clutch may adjust properly to give the proper pedal feel.