transmission hesitation

i'm at about 30,000 kms on my '02 Sebring LX (Auto Transmission), and about 90% of the time, when it shifts from 2nd -> 1st gear, there's a little bit of hesitation coming from ... i'm guessing my transmission.

i'm thinking it could be a loss of transmission fluid (hole somewhere)...

any other possibilities? any remedies?

My 01 sebring lx had something like a little shudder when letting off the gas at speed. Not sure if its the trans or not, but feels like it. Has 35K miles on it. I'm guessing its the transmission, so I plan on changing the fluid soon to see if it helps. Is it only from 2nd gear? I wonder if they don't put very good fluid in the trans from the factor. Manual calls for first change at 48K miles in normal service. Seems a little high.