The stories I am finding are anecdotes and not people trashing the platform for the hell of itIf you are finding "numerous stories of how the xd sucks," then you need to get off the Glock Boi forums!
The vast majority of those criticizing the XD line haven't shot one, much less owned one.
I've never understood the hatred, but I do understand why Glock Bois don't like them as in comparison, their Austrian-designed pistols look antiquated.
Having bought my first XD well over 17 years ago, I can attest that after sending thousands of rounds down the barrel of several different variations of that line, I have yet to have a malfunction that wasn't directly ammo related.
In fact, I have had friends with other handguns have issues with a particular round of ammo not firing, and when I drop it in one of my XD pistols, it fires!
And I have never had an issue with the grip safety, but I also shoot 1911s so they don't bother me as they do a few others...