E18 error

Bought Canon A80 2 years ago. Great camera until a month ago when dreaded E18 problem started. Usual things-lens either will not open or shut. Wrote to Canon in New Zealand but they were in denial of this problem. Have made temporary fix by gently knocking the rubber cover to USB port on hard surface. Have also used family vacuum cleaner to suck all around the lens (remove outer ring first) then suck the 3 slots that you can see to remove any potential dust or grit. After a month on holiday-lots of shots-there have been no more problems but cant guarantee this is a permanent fix.
Otherwise has been a good camera.