Fossils have been found in the El Bordo Formation, in the Antofagasta Region in northern Chile.

However, a reevaluation in 2003 upon the relocation of the material showed that it was in fact an aetosaur and that the strata were of Triassic age.

[3] Based on similarities in the armour plating, Chilenosuchus seems to be closely related to Typothorax.

It has been proposed to be a member of a recently devised clade, Typothoracisinae, along with Typothorax and several other similar aetosaurs.

[4] However, because of the many other differences between it and other aetosaurs, the position of Chilenosuchus within Stagonolepididae will remain uncertain until more material can be found.