Freestar Overheating

Sounds like a thermostat issue to me! I had similar problems on my old car. Is your temperature gauge fluctuating a lot? Sometimes a defective thermostat can cause that. Have you noticed if the upper radiator hose gets hot like it should when the engine is warm?

Thanks for the quick reply! The temperature gauge does seem to fluctuate a bit more than usual. I haven't specifically checked the upper radiator hose temperature, but I will definitely do that. If the hose isn't getting hot, what does that indicate?

If the upper radiator hose isn't getting hot when the engine is warm, it strongly suggests the thermostat isn't opening properly. From my experience, that points to a defective thermostat, which seems to be a fairly common issue. You could try replacing it yourself if you're comfortable with that, but honestly, at this point, I would recommend taking it to a workshop, they can diagnose it properly. I reckon you'll be looking at around 350€.

Okay, thanks for the advice! I'll check the radiator hose and then likely take it to a mechanic. Appreciate you pointing me in the right direction!